Genetic Evaluation of a Conservation Hatchery Program for Reintroduction of Sicklefin Redhorse Moxostoma sp. in the Tuckasegee River, North Carolina

Abstract

Restoration and reintroduction efforts for the sicklefin redhorse Moxostoma sp. have been initiated by state, tribal, and federal agencies owing to the limited geographic distribution of this species and threats associated with the physical alteration of its habitat. A critical component of a successful reintroduction is that the source and recipient populations have similar genetic resources and life history patterns. We used 10 microsatellite loci to estimate and compare indices of genetic diversity between the Little Tennessee River population of wild adults and the hatchery broodstock being used for initial reintroduction efforts. We also compared relatedness values for the broodstock used for restoration efforts. There were no significant differences between hatchery broodstock and wild adults with respect to average gene diversity, but the average number of alleles for each brood year was significantly less than that for wild adults. While this trend persisted when the 2007 and 2008 brood years (combined) were compared with wild adults, the reduction was not significant. Finally, all hatchery crosses were among unrelated individuals. Our results highlight the importance of using genetic information to assist restoration and reintroduction efforts.

Behavior and Reproductive Ecology of the Sicklefin Redhorse: An Imperiled Southern Appalachian Mountain Fish

“…Furthermore, historical stocking programs have unintentionally introduced genetically undesirable progeny ranging from those exhibiting reduced genetic diversity (e.g., Sicklefin Redhorse: Moyer et al. ) to hybrids (e.g., Greenback Cutthroat Trout O. clarkii stomias : Metcalf et al. ).…”

“…Identification of introgression using genetic markers has been principally applied to salmonids (e.g., Kanda et al 2002;Kalinowski et al 2011); however, the small geographic range of the Sicklefin Redhorse may warrant future genetic research designed to identify historical introgression between the Black Redhorse and Sicklefin Redhorse as a means to establish Sicklefin Redhorse historical occupancy and justify future reintroductions. Furthermore, historical stocking programs have unintentionally introduced genetically undesirable progeny ranging from those exhibiting reduced genetic diversity (e.g., Sicklefin Redhorse: Moyer et al 2009) to hybrids (e.g., Greenback Cutthroat Trout O. clarkii stomias: Metcalf et al 2012). Thus, we emphasize caution in future reintroduction initiatives to ensure that hatchery-produced Sicklefin Redhorses exhibit genetic diversity representative of wild fish.…”

Return of a Giant: Coordinated Conservation Leads to the First Wild Reproduction of Lahontan Cutthroat Trout in the Truckee River in Nearly a Century

“…Similar to other species reintroductions (e.g., Moyer et al. ), identifying the most appropriate strain as broodstock was an integral part of the LCT recovery program. During the late 1800s and early to mid‐1900s, strains of LCT were introduced widely across and even outside the historical range of the species (Nielsen and Sage ).…”

“…However, there are considerable risks in using broodstock programs in fisheries conservation (McClure et al 2008), particularly in terms of maintaining genetic diversity and preserving local adaptation. Similar to other species reintroductions (e.g., Moyer et al 2009), identifying the most appropriate strain as broodstock was an integral part of the LCT recovery program. During the late 1800s and early to mid-1900s, strains of LCT were introduced widely across and even outside the historical range of the species (Nielsen and Sage 2002).…”

Genetic techniques inform conservation aquaculture of the endangered Kootenai River white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus

“…Species with lengthy generation times can retain genetic diversity for long periods, even in the face of severe demographic declines (Quattro et al 2002, Lippé et al 2006, Lawrence et al 2008, Moyer et al 2009). Imperiled populations of large river-resident or dia dromous fishes may still possess moderate to high levels of genetic diversity which can be preserved by conservation aquaculture programs utilizing sufficient numbers of broodstock.…”