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

Advisor(s)

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

Document Type

Poster

Location

ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room

Start Date

22-4-2022 10:00 AM

End Date

22-4-2022 11:00 AM

Abstract

The study examines differences in morphological and genetic variation between populations of Dusky Darter (Percina sciera) in Ohio. There are two populations of Dusky Darter 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. Multiple universal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers have been developed 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 have been sequenced, and and three distinct (> 2% divergence) mitochondrial DNA lineages have been identified within Percina collected from Symmes Creek. This population also shows substantial genetic variation for at least one nuclear DNA (nDNA) locus. 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 variation at five morphological characters that differentiate Dusky and Blackside Darters. Appreciable morphological variation within and between Dusky and Blackside darters has been found. Results have implications for conservation and management of Dusky Darter in Ohio.

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Apr 22nd, 10:00 AM Apr 22nd, 11:00 AM

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

ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room

The study examines differences in morphological and genetic variation between populations of Dusky Darter (Percina sciera) in Ohio. There are two populations of Dusky Darter 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. Multiple universal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers have been developed 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 have been sequenced, and and three distinct (> 2% divergence) mitochondrial DNA lineages have been identified within Percina collected from Symmes Creek. This population also shows substantial genetic variation for at least one nuclear DNA (nDNA) locus. 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 variation at five morphological characters that differentiate Dusky and Blackside Darters. Appreciable morphological variation within and between Dusky and Blackside darters has been found. Results have implications for conservation and management of Dusky Darter in Ohio.