Genetics, Genomics, and Molecular Biology

USGS scientists develop and integrate new genetic and molecular techniques into systematic analyses to describe individuals and populations of fish and other aquatic species in the context of evolutionary history, dispersal, and species interactions.

Amphibians

• Identification of Population Structure, Metapopulation Extent, and Evolutionarily Significant Lineages of the Spotted Salamander and Wood Frog Inhabiting Vernal Pools in Three National Parks: Implications for Conservation Strategies (Spotted salamander, Wood frog) (LSC)

Coral

• Phylogeography and Population Genetic Structure of the Deep-Sea Coral Lophelia pertusa (Lophelia pertusa) (LSC)

Crustaceans

• Desert Fish Stable Isotope Research (Crayfish) (FORT) (also related to Aquatic Community Ecology)

Crystal Darters

• Morphological and Molecular Systematics of the Crystal Darter (Crystallaria asprella) (Crystal darter) (LSC)

Mussels

• Captive Breeding Management and Assessment of Augmentation Efforts with Multilocus Microsatellite DNA Genotypes in the Endangered Clubshell (Pleurobema clava) (Clubshell) (LSC)

• Understanding Fragmentation: A Comparison of Population Structure Between Rare and Common Species of Freshwater Mussels in the Upper Delaware River (Alasmidonta heterodon, Alasmidonta implicata, Elliptio complanata, Unionids) (LSC) (also related to Species Diversity and Life History)

Salmon and Trout

• Conservation Genetics in the USGS (921.37KB, PDF) (Atlantic salmon, Myxobolus cerebralis/Whirling disease) (FRESC)

• Conservation Genetics of Ecologically and Recreationally Important Fishes (Blue pike, Lake herring, Lake trout, Lake whitefish, Northern pike, Walleye, Whale shark, Yellow perch, other Native finfish of the Great Lakes) (LSC)

• Evaluating the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Restoration Effort: Genetic Variability, Stocking Success and Habitat Quality (Atlantic salmon) (LSC) (also related to Restoration Science and Technology, Species Diversity and Life History)
  
  
• Factors Influencing the Spread of Hybridization Between Native Westslope Cutthroat and Non-native Rainbow Trout (NOROCK)
  
  
• Genetics of Alaskan Fishes (Alaska blackfish, Coho salmon, Pacific halibut, Rainbow trout, Steelhead) (ASC)

• Genetics of Pacific Salmonids (Chinook salmon, Cutthroat trout, Freshwater trout of the Sierra Madre, Steelhead) (ASC)

• Genetics Research at the Western Fisheries Research Center (Chinook salmon, Cutthroat trout, Lamprey and Various invertebrates, Microbes, Plants, Rainbow trout, Salmonids, Sturgeon) (WFRC)

• Genetic Stock Identification of Atlantic Salmon Inhabiting North America with Emphasis on the Downeast Rivers of Maine (Atlantic salmon) (LSC)

• Identification and Management of Genetic Diversity among Brook Trout Populations Inhabiting Five National Parks (Brook trout) (LSC)

• Transcriptional Profiling of the Parr-Smolt Transformation in Atlantic Salmon and the Effect of Nonylphenol on Gene Expression During Smolt Development (Atlantic salmon) (LSC) (also related to Species Diversity and Life History)

Sturgeons

• Determination of Sex by Molecular Genetic Methods in Atlantic Sturgeon (Atlantic sturgeon) (LSC)

Suckers

• Molecular Based Detection of Fish Pathogens Relevant to the Endangered Suckers of Upper Klamath Lake and the Development of a Surrogate Laboratory Model for Disease Challenge Studies (Algal blooms, Flavobacterium columnare, Lost River sucker, Shortnose sucker, White sucker) (LSC) (also related to Fish and Aquatic Organism Health)

Sunfish

• Effects of Estrogen and Related Contaminants on the Expression of Genes Involved in the Innate Immune System of Fish in Rivers of the Chesapeake Bay Drainage (Largemouth bass, Northern hogsuckers, Smallmouth bass, Sunfish) (LSC) (also related to Fish and Aquatic Organism Health)
  

Turtles

• Genetic Population Structure Among Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) in Chesapeake Bay and a Comparison Among Representative Populations Throughout the Species’ Range (Diamondback terrapins) (LSC) (also related to Species Diversity and Life History)

• Identification of Population Structure, Metapopulation Extent, and Evolutionarily Significant Lineages in the Spotted Turtle: Implications for Restoration (Spotted turtle) (LSC) (also related to Species Diversity and Life History)

General Genetics, Genomics, and Molecular Biology Research

• Conservation Genetics of At-Risk Species and Species of Concern (LSC)

• Genetics Research at the Western Fisheries Research Center (Chinook salmon, Cutthroat trout, Lamprey and Various invertebrates, Microbes, Plants, Rainbow trout, Salmonids, Sturgeon) (WFRC)