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Genetic variation in westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi: implications for conservation

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Abstract

Twenty-five populations of westslope cutthroat trout from throughout their native range were genotyped at 20 microsatellite loci to describe the genetic structure of westslope cutthroat trout. The most genetic diversity (heterozygosity, allelic richness, and private alleles) existed in populations from the Snake River drainage, while populations from the Missouri River drainage had the least. Neighbor-joining trees grouped populations according to major river drainages. A great amount of genetic differentiation was present among and within all drainages. Based on Nei’s D S , populations in the Snake River were the most differentiated, while populations in the Missouri River were the least. This pattern of differentiation is consistent with a history of sequential founding events through which westslope cutthroat trout may have experienced a genetic bottleneck as they colonized each river basin from the Snake to the Clark Fork to the Missouri river. These data should serve as a starting point for a discussion on management units and possible distinct population segments. Given the current threats to the persistence of westslope cutthroat trout, and the substantial genetic differentiation between populations, these topics warrant attention.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by National Science Foundation grant DEB 0717456. Thanks to Robb Leary, Paul Spruell, and Jim Mogen for samples. Thanks to Matt Boyer and two anonymous reviewers. Their suggestions greatly improved the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA

    Daniel P. Drinan & Bradley B. Shepard

  2. Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA

    Steven T. Kalinowski & Ninh V. Vu

  3. U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Glacier National Park, West Glacier, MT, 59936, USA

    Clint C. Muhlfeld

  4. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise, ID, 83707, USA

    Matthew R. Campbell

  5. 1122 NE Boat St, P.O. Box 355020, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA

    Daniel P. Drinan

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  1. Daniel P. Drinan
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  2. Steven T. Kalinowski
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  3. Ninh V. Vu
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  4. Bradley B. Shepard
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  5. Clint C. Muhlfeld
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  6. Matthew R. Campbell
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Correspondence to Daniel P. Drinan.

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Drinan, D.P., Kalinowski, S.T., Vu, N.V. et al. Genetic variation in westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi: implications for conservation. Conserv Genet 12, 1513–1523 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-011-0249-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-011-0249-2

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