Complex postglacial recolonization inferred from population genetic structure of mottled sculpinCottus bairdiiin tributaries of eastern Lake Michigan, U.S.A.

• DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13101
• Publication Date: 2016-09-12T08:12:57Z
• Authors: J. J. Homola; C. R. Ruetz; S. L. Kohler; R. A. Thum
• Keywords: Cottus; Population Structure

This study used analyses of the genetic structure a non-game fish species, mottled sculpin Cottus bairdii to hypothesize probable recolonization routes by cottids and possibly other Laurentian Great Lakes fishes following glacial recession. Based on samples from 16 small streams in five major Lake Michigan, U.S.A., tributary basins, significant interpopulation differentiation was documented (overall FST = 0·235). Differentiation complex, however, with unexpectedly high similarity among basins as well occasionally strong within despite relatively close geographic proximity populations. Genetic dissimilarities were identified between eastern western populations river similarities existing across basins. Given such patterns, is hypothesized have occurred three occasions more than one refugium, secondary vicariant event resulting reduction water level ancestral Michigan. By studying phylogeography small, this provides insight into dynamics region that could be difficult infer game species are often broadly dispersed humans.