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Riverscape genetic structure of a threatened and dispersal limited freshwater species, the Rocky Mountain Sculpin (Cottus sp.)

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Abstract

Understanding the movement ability and the spatial scale(s) of population genetic structure of species can together better ‘tune’ management objectives to prevent potential range contraction and population declines. We studied the Rocky Mountain Sculpin (Cottus sp.), a threatened species in Canada, to demonstrate the utility of using two complementary approaches to assess connectivity of a species. To do so, we used Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags with a stationary tracking array (n = 223) to track movement and genetic data (n = 1,015) from nine microsatellite loci to assess genetic population structure. The PIT tag results indicated that Rocky Mountain Sculpin are sedentary; approximately 50% of individuals only moved a maximum distance of 10 meters (upstream or downstream) over a 5-month period. Genetic analyses indicated that at the spatial scale of our study area (5500 km2), watershed structure (river basins) is the main geographic feature influencing population genetic structure. We used the Bayesian clustering tool STRUCTURE, which suggested four distinct sub-populations of Rocky Mountain Sculpin in Canada. Genetic structure at finer spatial scales (within basins and sub-basins) appears to be influenced by fluvial distance (i.e., geographic distance along a river) and elevation change between sample locations (i.e., isolation-by-distance and isolation-by-environment). Combining movement and genetic analyses provides complimentary evidence of limited dispersal in Rocky Mountain Sculpin and highlights that both approaches together can provide broader insight into connectivity between populations that may ultimately help to aid future management decisions.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge individuals part of the field sampling team, including: Wesley Donaldson, Elliot Macdonald, Kelly Mulligan, Caitlin Good, Christine Lacho, Troy Adams, Kenton Neufeld, Elashia Young, and Denyse Dawe. Thanks are also due to Fisheries and Oceans Canada Species at Risk group for funding to MP and DW.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Jonathan L. W. Ruppert, Tyana Rudolfsen, Marie Veillard & Mark S. Poesch

  2. Départment de Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Patrick M. A. James

  3. Department of Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre and Beaty Biodiversity Museum, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Eric B. Taylor

  4. Molecular Biology Service Unit (MBSU), Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Corey S. Davis

  5. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Central and Arctic Region, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

    Doug Watkinson

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  1. Jonathan L. W. Ruppert
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Correspondence to Jonathan L. W. Ruppert.

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Ruppert, J.L.W., James, P.M.A., Taylor, E.B. et al. Riverscape genetic structure of a threatened and dispersal limited freshwater species, the Rocky Mountain Sculpin (Cottus sp.). Conserv Genet 18, 925–937 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-017-0938-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-017-0938-6

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