DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Local Adaptation and Gene Flow in a Fragmented Host System: Crepidostomum farionis (Digenea) and Oncorhynchus clarki virginalis (Salmonidae) in New Mexico

该项目将研究新墨西哥州北部高海拔溪流中寄生吸虫克雷皮stomum farionis和喉鳟Oncorhynchus clarki virginalis（里约热内卢Grande cutthroat）的相互作用。它将特别测试病原体传染性与鳟鱼种群之间迁移负相关的假设，正如最近发展的理论所预测的那样。Crepidostomum farionis是一种多面手，它使用多种鱼类作为宿主，包括切喉和非本地的褐鳟，Salmo trutta。个体的基因型将在涉及抗寄生虫、微卫星和线粒体基因的基因座上确定。迁移和基因共享将被评估。同样，病原体群体之间的基因共享将使用扩增片段长度多态性（AFLP）标记进行量化。这是研究病原菌种群动态的新途径。寄主运动、寄主抗性和病原体感染性的研究对于揭示野生动物疾病如何在自然种群中传播和维持具有广泛的潜力。该项目还将为本科生提供参与多学科研究的志愿者机会。最后，参与该项目的研究人员将参加由州和联邦机构组织的公共教育活动，旨在强调新墨西哥州本土野生动物的状况和管理。

This project will examine interactions of the parasitic trematode Crepidostomum farionis and the cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki virginalis (Rio Grande cutthroat) in high elevation streams in northern New Mexico. It will specifically test the hypothesis that pathogen infectivity is negatively related to migration between trout populations, as predicted by recently developed theory. Crepidostomum farionis is a generalist that uses multiple fish hosts, including cutthroat and non-native brown trout, Salmo trutta. Genotypes of individual cutthroat will be determined at a gene locus involved in resistance to parasites, microsatellite, and mitochondrial genes. Migration and gene sharing will be estimated. Likewise, gene sharing between populations of the pathogen will be quantified using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. This is a new approach in studies of pathogen population dynamics.Studies of host movement, host resistance, and pathogen infectivity have broad potential to reveal how wildlife diseases are spread and maintained in natural populations. This project will also offer volunteer opportunities for undergraduate participation in a multi-disciplinary study. Finally, researchers involved with this project will participate in public education activities organized by both state and federal agencies designed to highlight the status and management of native wildlife within the State of New Mexico.