DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Phylogenetic Relationships, Biogeography, and Genetic Diversity of the VHS Fish Virus

病毒性出血性败血症病毒（VHSv）的病因之一？最重要的鱼类疾病。自2005年以来，一种独特的新兴菌株（IVb）在五大湖爆发，导致许多重要物种死亡，并损害了我们的渔业、诱饵鱼、水产养殖和旅游业。本研究将分析这一新物种的进化、生物地理和遗传多样性模式。与其他菌株相比，VHS菌株在其整个分布范围内为了解和防治这种疾病提供了重要的好处。DNA序列变异和生物地理模式将在病毒中进行测试？S的地理范围、时间进程和受感染鱼类之间的关系。将使用三种不同的基因分析菌株内部和菌株之间的遗传多样性，从而跟踪病毒随时间和空间的变异模式。本次调研将显著提升女博士生的研究深度和机会。其他更广泛的影响是，该项目将促进研究生、高中生、大学和州立研究人员、水产养殖户和渔业管理人员对病原体进化模式的教学、培训、合作和理解。结果将加强渔业养护和疾病预防工作。

Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus (VHSv) causes one of the world?s most important finfish diseases. An outbreak of a unique and emerging strain (IVb) has been observed across the Great Lakes since 2005, killing many important species and harming our fisheries, baitfish, aquaculture, and tourism industries. This study will analyze the evolutionary, biogeographic, and genetic diversity patterns of this ?new? VHS strain throughout its distribution, in comparison to other strains, providing important benefits for understanding and combating this disease. DNA sequence variation and biogeographic patterns will be tested across the virus?s geographic range, temporal course, and among infected fish species. Genetic diversity within and among the strains will be analyzed using three different genes, permitting the tracking of the patterns of viral variation over time and space.This investigation will significantly enhance the research depth and opportunity of a female Ph.D. student. Additional broader impacts are that the project will promote teaching, training, collaboration, and understanding of evolutionary patterns in pathogens to fellow graduate students, high school students, university and state researchers, aquaculture fish farmers, and fisheries managers. Results will enhance fisheries conservation and disease prevention efforts.