Dissertation Research: Pattern vs Process: Evolution of the Rhinichthys osculus in Western North America

由于地质剧变和气候原因，北美西部发生了9423146次道格拉斯大规模地理变化。这些鱼类在空间上与西方鱼类隔绝，从而在谱系内和谱系之间产生地理差异的模式。模式和过程之间的一致性将通过使用一种形态可变、分布广泛的西部小鱼(Rhinichthys Osculus)作为模式生物来测试。将从10个不同的河流系统(形成5个不同的盆地，每个盆地都有已知的地质历史)中抽取45个种群(每个50个个体)。其他四种物种将被用作分析的比较。将通过评估各自细胞线粒体的DNA来评估每个种群中的七个个体的遗传多样性。数据将使用(A)传统的种群遗传和地理变异技术，以及(B)评估种群间祖先后代关系的较新技术进行评估。这项研究的结果将为北美西部广泛分布的鱼类种群之间的地理亲缘关系提供一个通用模型。然后，可以评估该模型与其他分布广泛(但不太容易采样)的西方鱼类物种的一致性。

9423146 DOUGLAS Large-scale geographic changes have occurred in western North America as a result of geologic upheaval and climate. These have spatially isolated western fishes to produce patterns of geographic variation within and between lineages. Congruence between pattern and process will be tested by using as a model organism a morphologically variable, widespread, western minnow (Rhinichthys osculus). Forty-five populations (50 individuals each) will be sampled from 10 different river systems (which form five different basins, each with known geological histories). Four other species will be used as comparisons for analyses. Seven individuals per population will be evaluated for genetic diversity by evaluating the DNA of their respective cellular mitochondria. Data will be evaluated using (a) traditional population genetic and geographic variation techniques, and (b) newer techniques which evaluate ancestor-descendant relationships among populations. Results from this study will provide a generalized model of geographic affinity between populations of a widely distributed fish species in western North America. This model can then be evaluated for congruence with other widespread (but less easily sampled) species of western fishes.