LAUSR

Abstract Rhinogobius candidianus is a freshwater goby distributed in north, northwest, west, and south Taiwan, but this species has been introduced to east Taiwan and became dominant. To investigate its native population genetic diversity and structure and evaluate the sources and diversity of translocated populations, the mitochondrial DNA control region and cytochrome b gene (1981 bp) from 220 specimens were analyzed. These results indicated that (1) the east populations originated from two sources in west Taiwan; (2) translocated populations exist in east Taiwan and south Taiwan; (3) many populations have likely been moved secondarily by human intervention; (4) the effective size of the populations had declined greatly; (5) within the native populations, the ancestral populations colonized Taiwan during the land bridge phase in the Pleistocene through north Taiwan; (6) the landform changes in Taiwan shaped the population structure; and (7) the landforms of the coastline during glaciation also shaped the native range. The low‐level genetic diversity, high population differentiation, and population decline greatly suggest the need for resource management and conservation interventions. Four clades (α–δ) should be managed as four distinct evolutionarily significant units, while the translocated populations should be managed as separate management units. Moreover, the translocated populations in east Taiwan should be evaluated and monitored carefully.