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Fish & Habitats
Genetics Program
Genetic diversity is essential for the continued existence
and evolution of healthy fish populations. Genetic differences
exist among populations within a species and reflect isolation
from other populations and adaptations to local conditions
(such as water temperatures, seasonal changes in water flow,
available food and presence of predators). Genetic diversity
provides the flexibility that allows a population to survive
changing conditions — this is especially important when
either natural or human-induced changes to climate, hydrology,
habitat or community structure (including changes in competitors,
predators or pathogens) occur. It is important to understand
how genetic diversity is distributed within a species to adequately
protect and manage these resources.
Projects
The Provincial Genetics Program is involved in several projects
that use genetic techniques to describe diversity. These projects
include:
- Steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) genetic stock identification — Genetic
markers are being developed to identify groups of summer-run
and fall-run steelhead trout in the by-catch of commercial,
aboriginal and sports fisheries. This allows us to determine
when different populations are passing through the fishery
and recommend changes to fishing plans if these populations
are being over-exploited. e.g. Thompson River, Skeena River.
- Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) zoogeography and meta-population
studies — Using genetic techniques, the major ancestral
lines of bull trout in B.C. have been identified. The
current location of their descendants indicates post-glacial
dispersal
routes. By combining similar information from both plant
and animal species, important glacial refugia can be
described
and protected. The meta-population studies consider how
genetic diversity is distributed within watersheds among
mainstem rivers
and their tributary streams. This information is used
to determine levels of isolation and vulnerability of
different populations
to facilitate species protection in forests, mines and
other land-use planning processes.
- White sturgeon (Acipencer transmontanus) genetic diversity
project — Similar to the bull trout studies,
different genetic techniques are combined to identify
major ancestral
lines and distinct populations. This information is
very important when developing recovery plans for populations
that are no
longer self-sustaining.
Other projects:
- Okanagan Lake kokanee stock identification
- Dolly Varden zoogeography
- Coastal and westslope cutthroat trout genetic diversity
- Hatchery rainbow trout broodstock evaluation
Reports and Articles
Taylor, E.B., S. Harvey, S. Pollard, and J. Volpe. 1997. Postglacial
genetic differentiation of reproductive ecotypes of kokanee
Oncorhynchus nerka in Okanagan Lake, British Columbia. Molecular
Ecology 6:503-517
Taylor, E.B., S.M. Pollard and D. Louie. 1999. Zoogeography
and evolution of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in northwestern
North America: insights from mitochondrial DNA. Molecular Ecology
8:1156-1170.
Beacham, T.D., S. Pollard and Kkai D. Le. 1999. Population
structure and stock identification of steelhead in southern
British Columbia, Washington, and the Columbia River based
on microsatellite DNA variation. Transactions of the American
Fisheries Society 128:1068-1084.
Related Links:
University
of British Columbia — Dr. Eric Taylor
State
of Alaska Dept. of Fish and Wildlife — genetics
Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Laboratory
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