Conservation Genetics of Gar (Atractosteus spp.)

<p>The alligator gar (<em>Atractosteus spatula</em>) is a large-bodied species of fish that historically was widely distributed in coastal drainages around the Gulf of Mexico and well north in the Mississippi River basin. Currently this species is experiencing population declines across much of its range. However, in some parts of its range, such as Texas, this species has shifted from being viewed as a trash fish to being the target or a growing sport fishery. As populations decline and angling pressure increases, different state agencies are faced with the common challenge of developing the most effective methods for managing this species. A general lack of basic life history information makes this task a challenge. Here, the population structure of <em>A. spatula</em> was examined on both a fine-scale (within 10 km) and large scale (across its entire range). With an understanding of the stock structure of this species, management efforts can be tailored to best preserve the remaining genetic diversity of this species. In addition, possible hybridization between <em>A. spatula</em> with <em>Lepisosteus osseus</em> (longnose gar) and <em>L. oculatus</em> (spotted gar) was investigated by genotyping morphologically suspect individuals. Finally, microsatellite loci originally identified in <em>A. spatula</em> were cross-amplified in <em>A. tropicus</em> (tropical gar) to identify a set of microsatellite markers for the genotyping of <em>A. tropicus</em>, another species of gar that has generated interest in managing and restocking its remaining populations.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.available

2013

Author dc:creator

• Bohn, Sandra Elizabeth

Contributors dc:contributor

• Brian Kreiser
• Jake Schaefer
• Greg Moyer

Repository record dc:identifier

https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/411

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:aquila.usm.edu:masters_theses-1474