Graduate Studies
Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) population structure and extent of hybridization with brook trout (S. fontinalis) across Alberta's Eastern Slopes
Abstract
dc:description.abstractGenomic analyses have become fundamental in advancing our understanding of species conservation. Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), a charr native to northwestern North America, face population declines and require protection to ensure their persistence and survival. In my thesis, I used genetic loci known as Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) to investigate the genetic status of bull trout across Alberta. My two main objectives were to: 1) assess the extent of hybridization between bull trout and brook trout (S. fontinalis), and 2) examine the genetic structure and diversity of bull trout across Alberta’s Eastern Slopes. Our results indicate that while hybridization outcomes vary by site, post-F1 hybridization was low. This suggests that a loss of demographic output to F1 hybrids is likely the greatest impact from hybridization on bull trout populations in Alberta. From assessing genetic structure, clear genetic differentiation of bull trout was also observed between the two bull trout Designatable Units, the Western Arctic and Saskatchewan-Nelson, suggesting the presence of two distinct populations in northern and southern Alberta. Additionally, within-watershed diversity was also observed from this analysis, indicating that a high amount of local diversity contributes to bull trout exhibiting a hierarchical metapopulation structure. These findings suggest that management actions should be implemented at a local scale to protect the local adaptations and genetic integrity of bull trout.
Degree
thesis:*- Name thesis:degree_name
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
- Biological Sciences
- Grantor dc:publisher.institution
- Graduate Studies
- Year dc:date.issued
- 2024
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
-
- Franks, Emily
- Advisors dc:contributor.advisor
-
- Post, John
- Mee, Jonathan
- Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
-
- Kissinger, Benjamin
- Vamosi, Jana
Subjects
dc:subject × 6Rights
dc:rights- Statement dc:rights
-
- University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
- Language dc:language.iso
- en
Identifiers
dc:identifier.*- OAI identifier oai:identifier
- oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:1880/120297