Genetic diversity, admixture, and hatchery influence in Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) throughout western New York State.

ABSTRACT: Although Brook Trout are distributed across most of eastern North America, population numbers have declined in many regions due to habitat loss, climate change, and competition with non-native species. In New York State, Brook Trout habitat has been substantially reduced, with many areas showing complete extirpation of Brook Trout populations, predominantly in the western portion of the state. Small, fragmented populations are at risk of genetic diversity loss, inbreeding depression, and reduced fitness, leading to a greater potential for local extirpation. Genetic monitoring is a practical tool that can facilitate further conservation-decision making regarding small populations. In this study, we used 12 microsatellite loci to examine 3,436 sampled Brook Trout, representing 75 sites from

SUBMITTER: Beer SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6635958 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature