DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/4S26-4849

Defense Date

2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Dr. Bonnie L. Brown

Abstract

As a prelude to strain selection for domestication and future marker assisted selection, genetic variation revealed by microsatellite DNA was evaluated in yellow perch, Perca flavescens, from four wild North American populations collected in 2003-2004 (Maine, ME; New York, NY; North Carolina, NC; and Pennsylvania, PA), and two captive populations (Michigan, MI; Ohio, OH). For the loci examined, levels of heterozygosity ranged from He = 0.04 to 0.88, genetic differentiation was highly significant among all population pairs, and effective migration ranged from low (Nem = 0.3) to high (Nem = 4.5). Deviation from Hardy-Weinberg 1equilibrium was regularly observed indicating significant departures from random mating. Instantaneous measures of inbreeding within these populations ranged from near zero to moderate (median F = 0.16) and overall inbreeding levels averaged FIS = 0.18. Estimates of genetic diversity, Φ ST and genetic distance were highest between Michigan and all other populations and lowest between New York and Ohio. Genetic differentiation among populations did not correlate with geographic distance. Overall, the patterns of variation exhibited by the captive (Michigan and Ohio) populations were similar to patterns exhibited by the other allegedly wild populations, indicating that the spawning and management practices to date have not significantly reduced levels of genetic variation.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

June 2008

Included in

Biology Commons

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