Geology topics

S.T. Kalinowski

Publications and source records attributed to S.T. Kalinowski.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2012

A fine-scale assessment of using barriers to conserve native stream salmonids: a case study in Akokala Creek, Glacier National Park, USA

Biologists are often faced with the difficult decision in managing native salmonids of where and when to install barriers as a conservation action to prevent upstream invasion of nonnative fishes. However, fine-scale approaches to assess long-term persistence of populations within streams and watersheds chosen for isolation management are often lacking. We employed a spatially-explicit approach to evaluate stream habitat conditions, relative abundance, and genetic diversity of native westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) within the Akokala Creek watershed in Glacier National Park- a population threatened by introgressive hybridization with nonnative rainbow trout (O. mykiss) from nearby sources. The systematic survey of 24 stream reaches showed broad overlap in fish population and suitable habitat characteristics among reaches and no natural barriers to fish migration were found. Analysis of population structure using 16 microsatellite loci showed modest amounts of genetic diversity among reaches, and that fish from Long Bow Creek were the only moderately distinct genetic group. We then used this information to assess the potential impacts of three barrier placement scenarios on long-term population persistence and genetic diversity. The two barrier placement scenarios in headwater areas generally failed to meet general persistence criteria for minimum population size (2,500 individuals, Ne = 500), maintenance of long-term genetic diversity (He), and no population subdivision. Conversely, placing a barrier near the stream mouth and selectively passing non-hybridized, migratory spawners entering Akokala Creek met all persistence criteria and may offer the best option to conserve native trout populations and life history diversity. Systematic, fine-scale stream habitat, fish distribution, and genetic assessments in streams chosen for barrier installation are needed in conjunction with broader scale assessments to understand the potential impacts of using barriers for conservation of native salmonid populations threatened by nonnative fish invasions.

Open Fish Science Journal↗

USGS2011

Genetic variation in westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchusclarkii lewisi : implications for conservation

Twenty-five populations of westslope cutthroat trout from throughout their native range were genotyped at 20 microsatellite loci to describe the genetic structure of westslope cutthroat trout. The most genetic diversity (heterozygosity, allelic richness, and private alleles) existed in populations from the Snake River drainage, while populations from the Missouri River drainage had the least. Neighbor-joining trees grouped populations according to major river drainages. A great amount of genetic differentiation was present among and within all drainages. Based on Nei’s DS, populations in the Snake River were the most differentiated, while populations in the Missouri River were the least. This pattern of differentiation is consistent with a history of sequential founding events through which westslope cutthroat trout may have experienced a genetic bottleneck as they colonized each river basin from the Snake to the Clark Fork to the Missouri river. These data should serve as a starting point for a discussion on management units and possible distinct population segments. Given the current threats to the persistence of westslope cutthroat trout, and the substantial genetic differentiation between populations, these topics warrant attention.

Idaho, Montana↗

USGS2003

Population structure of Atlantic salmon in Maine with reference to populations from Atlantic Canada

Anadromous Atlantic salmon Salmo salar from 12 rivers in Maine, 3 rivers in New Brunswick, and 2 rivers each in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Newfoundland, and Labrador as well as 2 landlocked strains in Maine ( N = 3,863) were genotyped at 11 microsatellite loci. Fish in the drainages of Maine's Kennebec and Penobscot rivers were genetically similar to those sampled from the 8 rivers recently listed as containing an endangered distinct population segment under the United States' Endangered Species Act. Genetic distance estimates confirm that Maine's Atlantic salmon, both landlocked and anadromous, represent a discrete population unit, genetically as independent from any Canadian population as the Canadian populations are from each other. Within Maine, the anadromous and landlocked populations were statistically distinct. Anadromous Atlantic salmon were more genetically similar among year-classes within rivers than among rivers, as would be expected if the river is the unit of population. The effective number of breeders estimated within each river is larger than the number of adults estimated from samples and redd counts over the 10-year period from 1991 to 2000.

Maine↗