Advisor(s)

Kenneth J. Oswald, PhD
Ohio Northern University
Environmental & Field Biology, Science, Technology, and Mathematics
k-oswald@onu.edu

Document Type

Poster

Start Date

23-4-2021 9:00 AM

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine differences in morphological and genetic variation between populations of dusky darter (Percina sciera) in Ohio. There are two populations in Ohio, a northwestern population and a southern population. Dusky darter was collected by electrofishing, and individuals were placed in 95% ethanol for subsequent morphological and genetic analyses. Captured individuals were fin clipped and genomic DNA (gDNA) was extracted from each. The presence of gDNA was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. We have tested several universal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers to amplify multiple genetic loci in dusky darter. To date, we have successfully amplified three mitochondrial and six nuclear loci, and additional markers will be developed in the future. Successfully amplified loci are being sequenced, and sequences will be compared between individuals collected from the two populations. Genetic variation between the two Ohio populations could indicate population structure, cryptic speciation, or potentially hybridization with sympatric blackside darter (Percina maculata). We are also quantifying morphological variation for characters that differentiate dusky and blackside darters. Results have implications for conservation and management of dusky darter in Ohio.

Restricted

Available to ONU community via local IP address and ONU login.

Share

COinS
 
Apr 23rd, 9:00 AM

Assessment of Morphological and Genetic Variation in Ohio Populations of Dusky Darter (Percina sciera)

The purpose of this study is to examine differences in morphological and genetic variation between populations of dusky darter (Percina sciera) in Ohio. There are two populations in Ohio, a northwestern population and a southern population. Dusky darter was collected by electrofishing, and individuals were placed in 95% ethanol for subsequent morphological and genetic analyses. Captured individuals were fin clipped and genomic DNA (gDNA) was extracted from each. The presence of gDNA was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. We have tested several universal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers to amplify multiple genetic loci in dusky darter. To date, we have successfully amplified three mitochondrial and six nuclear loci, and additional markers will be developed in the future. Successfully amplified loci are being sequenced, and sequences will be compared between individuals collected from the two populations. Genetic variation between the two Ohio populations could indicate population structure, cryptic speciation, or potentially hybridization with sympatric blackside darter (Percina maculata). We are also quantifying morphological variation for characters that differentiate dusky and blackside darters. Results have implications for conservation and management of dusky darter in Ohio.