Dissertations and Theses @ UNI
Availability
Open Access Thesis
Keywords
Rainbow darter--Iowa--Genetics; Rainbow darter--Habitat--Iowa; Academic theses;
Abstract
The aim of this project was to study the population genetic structure of the rainbow darter, Etheostorna caeruleum, distributed in northeastern Iowa rivers. Overall, Iowa sustains a wide array of physical habitats and varying fish assemblage conditions that are influenced by climate and the geology of the landscape. The chief objective of the research was to increase knowledge of nongame species movement that can aid managers in conservation. This project addresses the question: What is the population genetic structure, amount of gene flow, and level of connectivity between populations of Etheostorna caeruleum distributed in northeast Iowa. Specimens were collected from rivers that are found in two geographically distinct regions in Iowa called the Iowan Surface and Paleozoic Plateau. Tissue samples were collected from 270 individuals that represent 14 localities. Microsatellite markers were amplified with PCR techniques, scored, and analyzed for population genetic structure. However, two of the ten micro satellite loci were unusable because of null alleles. Lack of detectable population subdivision coupled with excess heterozygotes from a bottleneck offer evidence that rainbow darters colonized northeast Iowa after the Wisconsinan episode. Even though these regions were circumnavigated by the Wisconsinan glacial advance, the Paleozoic Plateau and Iowan Surface did not act as a refuge for the rainbow darters. Historical processes were reflected in the rainbow darter's population genetic structure in northeast Iowa more than recently established anthropogenic barriers.
Year of Submission
2012
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Department of Biology
First Advisor
Peter B. Berendzen
Second Advisor
James W. Demastes
Third Advisor
Theresa A. Spradling
Date Original
2012
Object Description
1 PDF file (87 leaves)
Copyright
©2012 Dane Jonathan Davis
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Davis, Dane Jonathan, "The Colonization and Conservation Genetics of the Rainbow Darter, Etheostoma caeruleum, in Northeast Iowa" (2012). Dissertations and Theses @ UNI. 2455.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/etd/2455
Comments
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