Genetic variation of Lissotriton montandoni from the eastern part of the Slovak Carpathians

This study investigated the extent of genetic variation in Lissotriton montandoni individuals collected from three locations in the eastern Slovak Carpathians using microsatellite DNA markers. The genetic characteristics of these microsatellite loci were confirmed to be suitable for molecular genetic studies in L. montandoni, as indicated by high polymorphic information content values. Furthermore, a high level of genetic variation was detected in this endemic species of amphibian. The fixation index values suggested minimal differentiation among the three analyzed subpopulations, with only 1% of the total genetic variation occurring between subpopulations, 3% between individuals, and 96% within individuals. The presence of a high number of alleles at the same chromosomal loci contributes to genetic variation across the entire population, which is beneficial and essential for the adaptation of both individuals and the population as a whole to current and future environmental changes. Keywords: Carpathian Newt, Eastern Carpathians, genetic diversity, microsatellite