Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) population structure and extent of hybridization with brook trout (S. fontinalis) across Alberta's Eastern Slopes

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dc.contributor.advisorPost, John
dc.contributor.advisorMee, Jonathan
dc.contributor.authorFranks, Emily
dc.contributor.committeememberKissinger, Benjamin
dc.contributor.committeememberVamosi, Jana
dc.date2025-02
dc.date.accessioned2024-12-24T17:57:25Z
dc.date.available2024-12-24T17:57:25Z
dc.date.issued2024-12-20
dc.description.abstractGenomic analyses have become fundamental in advancing our understanding of species conservation. Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), a charr native to northwestern North America, face population declines and require protection to ensure their persistence and survival. In my thesis, I used genetic loci known as Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) to investigate the genetic status of bull trout across Alberta. My two main objectives were to: 1) assess the extent of hybridization between bull trout and brook trout (S. fontinalis), and 2) examine the genetic structure and diversity of bull trout across Alberta’s Eastern Slopes. Our results indicate that while hybridization outcomes vary by site, post-F1 hybridization was low. This suggests that a loss of demographic output to F1 hybrids is likely the greatest impact from hybridization on bull trout populations in Alberta. From assessing genetic structure, clear genetic differentiation of bull trout was also observed between the two bull trout Designatable Units, the Western Arctic and Saskatchewan-Nelson, suggesting the presence of two distinct populations in northern and southern Alberta. Additionally, within-watershed diversity was also observed from this analysis, indicating that a high amount of local diversity contributes to bull trout exhibiting a hierarchical metapopulation structure. These findings suggest that management actions should be implemented at a local scale to protect the local adaptations and genetic integrity of bull trout.
dc.identifier.citationFranks, E. (2024). Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) population structure and extent of hybridization with brook trout (S. fontinalis) across Alberta’s eastern slopes (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1880/120297
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisher.facultyGraduate Studies
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgary
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subjectbull trout
dc.subjecthybridization
dc.subjectbrook trout
dc.subjectAlberta's Eastern Slopes
dc.subjectsalvelinus confluentus
dc.subjectSalmonids
dc.subject.classificationEcology
dc.subject.classificationGenetics
dc.titleBull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) population structure and extent of hybridization with brook trout (S. fontinalis) across Alberta's Eastern Slopes
dc.typemaster thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineBiological Sciences
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (MSc)
ucalgary.thesis.accesssetbystudentI do not require a thesis withhold – my thesis will have open access and can be viewed and downloaded publicly as soon as possible.
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