Unveiling MHC-DAB Polymorphism Within the Western Balkan Salmonid Hotspot: Preliminary Outcomes from Native Trouts of Ohrid Lake and the Drin-Skadar Drainage (Albania)

We provide the first (preliminary) characterization of an immune-related gene (MHC-DAB) in trouts from Albania, an area harboring ecologically and genetically rich Salmonid diversity, including endemisms valuable for conservation. By genotyping 36 trout samples, we revealed generally high sequence/allelic polymorphism and remarkable distinctiveness (34 different sequences in total, most of which were exclusive to a taxon or population), also finding expected signals of historical positive selection. Interestingly, samples of lacustrine Belvica trout (Salmo ohridanus) showed contrasting results compared to other examined trout (S. trutta complex and S. letnica). Further investigations will provide a deeper understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms yielding the observed pattern of MHC-DAB diversity. Beyond evolutionary genetics, our outcomes offer useful information (namely immune-related adaptive genetic diversity) for conservation programs aimed at preserving the long-term viability of threatened wild populations.