Multiscale Genetic Structure of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in the Upper Snake River Basin

• DOI: 10.1577/t05-147.1
• Publication Date: 2006-05-31T01:19:39Z
• Authors: Christine C. Cege...; Matthew R. Campbell; Kevin A. Meyer; Madison S. Powell
• Keywords: Habitat Fragmentation; Metapopulation; Fragmentation

Abstract Populations of Yellowstone cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvierii have declined throughout their native range as a result habitat fragmentation, overharvest, and introductions nonnative that hybridized with or displaced populations. The degree to which these factors impacted the current genetic population structure populations is primary interest for conservation. In this study, we examined diversity in Idaho Nevada data from six polymorphic microsatellite loci. A total 1,392 samples were analyzed 45 sample locations 11 major river drainages. We found levels differentiation varied extensively. Salt River drainage, representative least migration corridors Idaho, had highest low differentiation. High observed at similar smaller geographic scales Portneuf River, Raft Teton drainages, are more altered by anthropogenic disturbances. Results suggested naturally structured drainage level but fragmentation has structuring. Connectivity should be restored via restoration whenever possible minimize losses preserve historical processes gene flow, life history variation, metapopulation dynamics. However, alternative strategies management conservation also considered areas where there strong likelihood invasions extensive cannot easily ameliorated.