2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
5/21/2018 | 3:00 PM - 3:15 PM | WITH CONNECTIVITY COMES CHALLENGES: BROOK TROUT METAPOPULATION DYNAMICS REVEAL UNIQUE MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES | 430 B
WITH CONNECTIVITY COMES CHALLENGES: BROOK TROUT METAPOPULATION DYNAMICS REVEAL UNIQUE MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES
Brook trout populations are often characterized by low population connectivity, with little effective migration occurring between populations separated at relatively small spatial scales. However, recent studies suggest that brook trout metapopulations may go undetected due to cryptic patterns in genetic diversity and/or separation by atypical habitat features. We conducted studies of population genetic diversity and movement, using radio telemetry, to identify patterns of brook trout connectivity in Pennsylvania streams. We found at least moderate degrees of gene flow for populations connected by less than 7km, and increased connectivity among populations connected by a large mainstem river channel. Failure to protect brook trout movement corridors can isolate populations, resulting in a loss of genetic diversity and increased extirpation risk. However, increased connectivity also presents a unique challenge due to the potential colonization of stocked hatchery fish into wild populations. During genetic analyses, we detected interbreeding between hatchery and wild trout at streams located several kilometers from the nearest stocking source. Together, these results suggest that considering patterns of stream connectivity across large spatial extents may be important for brook trout conservation efforts.
- Fish
- Connectivity
- Genetics
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Presenters/Authors
Shannon White
(), Pennsylvania State University, slw361@psu.edu;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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Tyler Wagner
(), U.S. Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Pennsylvania State University, txw19@psu.edu;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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Nonfinancial -