Collaborative Research: Ecological Correlates of Introgressive Hybridization Between Native and Introduced Populations of Salmonid Fishes

这项建议的重点是生态和遗传的影响，引进非本地虹鳟鱼（虹鳟鱼）对本地基因库的威胁黄石割喉鳟鱼（O。clarki bouvieri）。 除了竞争、捕食和引进物种带来的疾病生物外，对一些本地鱼种来说，一个主要的威胁是与引进物种杂交。 杂交种如果能育，就能传播开来，并导致引进物种的基因完全取代亲本基因。 这项研究的目的是确定黄石公园割喉鳟鱼和虹鳟鱼之间的杂交程度，以及在本地基因库中发生的遗传稀释程度。 此外，该研究还将测试环境的特定特征（温度、海拔、水流等）与纯种或杂交种的存在与否有关。 通过这种方式，这项研究将确定特定的环境是否有利于杂交鱼的传播，或者为黄石公园的切割喉鳟鱼的剩余纯种群提供优势。这项研究将提供虹鳟鱼遗传入侵模式的第一份文件，并开始探索这种模式的生态机制。 如果发现环境相关性，预测黄石当地的切喉鳟鱼的成功超过杂交，这样的栖息地可以给予最优先的保护。 只有通过了解影响入侵物种成功的生态和遗传因素的综合方法，我们才有希望阻止它们的传播并拯救本地基因库

This proposal focuses on the ecological and genetic impacts of the introduction of non-native rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) on native gene pools of threatened Yellowstone cutthroat trout (O. clarki bouvieri). In addition to competition, predation and the introduction of disease organisms by introduced species, for some native fish species, a major threat is that of hybridization with the introduced species. Hybrids, if fertile, can spread and cause the complete replacement of parental genes with those of the introduced species. This study is designed to determine the extent of hybridization between Yellowstone cutthroat trout and rainbow trout as well as the degree of genetic dilution that has occurred in native gene pools. In addition, the study will also test whether particular features of the environment (temperature, elevation, stream flow, etc.) are correlated with the presence or absence of pure species or hybrids. In this manner, the study will determine if particular environments favor the spread of hybrid fishes, or provide an advantage to the remaining pure populations of Yellowstone cutthroat trout.This study will provide the first documentation of the pattern of genetic invasion of rainbow trout and begin to explore the ecological mechanisms that are responsible for this pattern. If environmental correlates are found which predict the success of native Yellowstone cutthroat trout over hybrids, such habitats can be given top priority for conservation. Only through a combined approach of understanding both the ecological and genetic factors that influence the success of invasive species, can we ever hope to deter their spread and save native gene pools