Detailed Research Information

Detailed project information for
Study Plan Number 08046

Branch : Northern Appalachian Research Laboratory

Study Plan Number : 08046

Study Title : Conservation genetics of ecologically and recreationally important fishes

Starting Date : 10/01/2005

Completion Date : 09/30/2008

Principal Investigator(s) : Ward, Rocky

Primary PI : Ward, Rocky

Telephone Number : (570) 724-3322 ext.

Email Address : rward@usgs.gov

SIS Number :

Primary Program Element :

Second Program Element :

Status : Active

Abstract : BACKGROUND
The native finfish community of the Laurentian Great Lakes has undergone ecological upheaval attributable to anthropogenic effects on physical and biotic aspects of the environment. Long-term pollution has changed the water chemistry of the Great Lakes (Rainey 1967; Beeton 1971; Fields 2005); exotic species have been accidentally (Schmeck 1942; Fetterolf 1980; Carlton 1985; Mills et al. 1993) and purposefully (Emery 1985) established; diseases have emerged and become established (e.g., Bullock et al. 1983); and native species have been overfished (e.g., Tody 1974; Bogue 2000). These combinations of factors combine to make scientific management of Great Lakes native fishes and fisheries challenging and of critical importance.

Central to the scientific management of fishery resources is an understanding of the genetic resources inherent in managed species (Allendorf et al. 1986). On the most basic level, this understanding requires estimating the level of genetic diversity within populations and the degree of genetic divergence among populations (Nelson and Soulé 1986). A number of studies have utilized genetic markers to examine genetic variation in native fishes of the Great Lakes, including studies of walleye (Stizostedion v. vitreum, Stepien and Faber 1998), lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush, Guinand and Scribner 2003; Page et al. 2003), lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis, Bernatchez 2005), and northern pike (Esox lucius, Miller and Kapuscinski. 1996). In addition, a number of invasive finfish species recently established in the Great lakes have been examined using genetic markers (e.g., Stepien et al. 1998; Dillon and Stepien 2001; Bartron and Scribner 2004). These studies have provided valuable information on stock structure in those species being actively exploited, including critical information on genetic history, residual genetic resources, and population structure of threatened, endangered, and at-risk species; and evidence on the source and history of introduced species.

Important management questions remain concerning the conservation of Great Lakes fishes and fish communities that may be addressed, at least in part, using genetic analysis. This study plan addresses those questions for three ecologically or recreationally important fishes of the Great Lakes.
OBJECTIVES
Lake herring in the lower Great Lakes. The primary objective of this research is to provide a genetically-based analysis of the population affinity of recently collected Coregonus artedii from Lake Erie. A secondary objective is to describe temporal and spatial genetic variability among C. artedii populations in the lower Great Lakes.

Yellow perch in Lake Erie. The primary objective of this research is to provide resource managers with the genetic information necessary for the scientific management of yellow perch populations in Lake Erie. A secondary objective is to describe the genetic population structure of yellow perch in Lake Erie in order to assist in the design of possible future stocking efforts that will preserve the genetic resources of Perca flavescens.

Blue pike introgression into walleye populations. The primary objective of this research is to identify molecular markers that will be useful in determining the identity of blue pike and/or blue pike/walleye hybrids. A secondary objective will be to demonstrate the usefulness of these markers in the analysis of taxonomic affinity of suspect individuals.

Whale shark conservation genetics. The primary objective is to develop genetic markers that will be useful in assessing within-population genetic diversity and among-population genetic divergence, then to employ those markers in a survey of genetic variability across the distribution of whale sharks.
HYPOTHESES TO BE TESTED
Lake herring in the lower Great Lakes

1. Lake herring genetic population structure in the lower Great Lakes is best described as panmictic, with little or no spatial or temporal among-sample divergence.

2. Lake herring in the lower Great Lakes are characterized by spatial genetic differentiation.

3. Lake herring in the lower Great Lakes are characterized by temporal genetic differentiation.
Yellow perch in Lake Erie
1. The yellow perch population is panmictic in Lake Erie.

2. The Lake Erie yellow perch population is characterized by genetic variation related to spatially coherent population subdivision.
Blue pike introgression into walleye populations
1. Individuals from Lake Erie identified as putative blue pike or blue pike/walleye hybrids are genetically indistinguishable from walleye.

2. Individuals from Lake Erie identified as putative blue pike or blue pike/walleye hybrids are genetically S. v. glaucum or S. v. glaucum/S. v. vitreum hybrids.
Whale shark conservation genetics
1. The whale shark is characterized by a single panmictic population globally.

2. Whale sharks sampled in different geographic locations (i.e., Caribbean, eastern Atlantic, and Indian Oceans) are genetically divergent.

For More Information :

° Home

U.S. Department of the Interior || U.S. Geological Survey
11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA
URL: http://www.lsc.usgs.gov
Maintainer: lsc_webmaster@usgs.gov
Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn
Privacy Policy and Disclaimers || FOIA || Accessibility

Branch :	Northern Appalachian Research Laboratory
Study Plan Number :	08046
Study Title :	Conservation genetics of ecologically and recreationally important fishes
Starting Date :	10/01/2005
Completion Date :	09/30/2008
Principal Investigator(s) :	Ward, Rocky
Primary PI :	Ward, Rocky
Telephone Number :	(570) 724-3322 ext.
Email Address :	rward@usgs.gov
SIS Number :
Primary Program Element :
Second Program Element :
Status :	Active
Abstract :	BACKGROUND The native finfish community of the Laurentian Great Lakes has undergone ecological upheaval attributable to anthropogenic effects on physical and biotic aspects of the environment. Long-term pollution has changed the water chemistry of the Great Lakes (Rainey 1967; Beeton 1971; Fields 2005); exotic species have been accidentally (Schmeck 1942; Fetterolf 1980; Carlton 1985; Mills et al. 1993) and purposefully (Emery 1985) established; diseases have emerged and become established (e.g., Bullock et al. 1983); and native species have been overfished (e.g., Tody 1974; Bogue 2000). These combinations of factors combine to make scientific management of Great Lakes native fishes and fisheries challenging and of critical importance. Central to the scientific management of fishery resources is an understanding of the genetic resources inherent in managed species (Allendorf et al. 1986). On the most basic level, this understanding requires estimating the level of genetic diversity within populations and the degree of genetic divergence among populations (Nelson and Soulé 1986). A number of studies have utilized genetic markers to examine genetic variation in native fishes of the Great Lakes, including studies of walleye (Stizostedion v. vitreum, Stepien and Faber 1998), lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush, Guinand and Scribner 2003; Page et al. 2003), lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis, Bernatchez 2005), and northern pike (Esox lucius, Miller and Kapuscinski. 1996). In addition, a number of invasive finfish species recently established in the Great lakes have been examined using genetic markers (e.g., Stepien et al. 1998; Dillon and Stepien 2001; Bartron and Scribner 2004). These studies have provided valuable information on stock structure in those species being actively exploited, including critical information on genetic history, residual genetic resources, and population structure of threatened, endangered, and at-risk species; and evidence on the source and history of introduced species. Important management questions remain concerning the conservation of Great Lakes fishes and fish communities that may be addressed, at least in part, using genetic analysis. This study plan addresses those questions for three ecologically or recreationally important fishes of the Great Lakes. OBJECTIVES Lake herring in the lower Great Lakes. The primary objective of this research is to provide a genetically-based analysis of the population affinity of recently collected Coregonus artedii from Lake Erie. A secondary objective is to describe temporal and spatial genetic variability among C. artedii populations in the lower Great Lakes. Yellow perch in Lake Erie. The primary objective of this research is to provide resource managers with the genetic information necessary for the scientific management of yellow perch populations in Lake Erie. A secondary objective is to describe the genetic population structure of yellow perch in Lake Erie in order to assist in the design of possible future stocking efforts that will preserve the genetic resources of Perca flavescens. Blue pike introgression into walleye populations. The primary objective of this research is to identify molecular markers that will be useful in determining the identity of blue pike and/or blue pike/walleye hybrids. A secondary objective will be to demonstrate the usefulness of these markers in the analysis of taxonomic affinity of suspect individuals. Whale shark conservation genetics. The primary objective is to develop genetic markers that will be useful in assessing within-population genetic diversity and among-population genetic divergence, then to employ those markers in a survey of genetic variability across the distribution of whale sharks. HYPOTHESES TO BE TESTED Lake herring in the lower Great Lakes 1. Lake herring genetic population structure in the lower Great Lakes is best described as panmictic, with little or no spatial or temporal among-sample divergence. 2. Lake herring in the lower Great Lakes are characterized by spatial genetic differentiation. 3. Lake herring in the lower Great Lakes are characterized by temporal genetic differentiation. Yellow perch in Lake Erie 1. The yellow perch population is panmictic in Lake Erie. 2. The Lake Erie yellow perch population is characterized by genetic variation related to spatially coherent population subdivision. Blue pike introgression into walleye populations 1. Individuals from Lake Erie identified as putative blue pike or blue pike/walleye hybrids are genetically indistinguishable from walleye. 2. Individuals from Lake Erie identified as putative blue pike or blue pike/walleye hybrids are genetically S. v. glaucum or S. v. glaucum/S. v. vitreum hybrids. Whale shark conservation genetics 1. The whale shark is characterized by a single panmictic population globally. 2. Whale sharks sampled in different geographic locations (i.e., Caribbean, eastern Atlantic, and Indian Oceans) are genetically divergent.
For More Information :
° Home


U.S. Department of the Interior \|\| U.S. Geological Survey 11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA URL: http://www.lsc.usgs.gov Maintainer: lsc_webmaster@usgs.gov Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn Privacy Policy and Disclaimers \|\| FOIA \|\| Accessibility