Population connectivity and genetic structure of burbot (Lota lota) populations in the Wind River Basin, Wyoming

Hydrobiologia
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Burbot (Lota lota) occur in the Wind River Basin in central Wyoming, USA, at the southwestern extreme of the species’ native range in North America. The most stable and successful of these populations occur in six glacially carved mountain lakes on three different tributary streams and one large main stem impoundment (Boysen Reservoir) downstream from the tributary populations. Burbot are rarely found in connecting streams and rivers, which are relatively small and high gradient, with a variety of potential barriers to upstream movement of fish. We used high-throughput genomic sequence data for 11,197 SNPs to characterize the genetic diversity, population structure, and connectivity among burbot populations on the Wind River system. Fish from Boysen Reservoir and lower basin tributary populations were genetically differentiated from those in the upper basin tributary populations. In addition, fish within the same tributary streams fell within the same genetic clusters, suggesting there is movement of fish between lakes on the same tributaries but that populations within each tributary system are isolated and genetically distinct from other populations. Observed genetic differentiation corresponded to natural and anthropogenic barriers, highlighting the importance of barriers to fish population connectivity and gene flow in human-altered linked lake-stream habitats.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Population connectivity and genetic structure of burbot (Lota lota) populations in the Wind River Basin, Wyoming
Series title Hydrobiologia
DOI 10.1007/s10750-015-2422-y
Volume 765
Issue 1
Year Published 2016
Language English
Publisher Springer
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Seattle
Description 14 p.
First page 329
Last page 342
Country United States
State Wyoming
Other Geospatial Wind River Basin
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details