The haploid linkage map in a coregonid improves knowledge of chromosomal evolution across salmonids

Session: Application of Genomic Tools to Inform Management of the Great Lakes (3)

Danielle Blumstein, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, [email protected]
Wendylee Stott, Michigan State University, USGS Great Lakes Science Center, [email protected]
Wesley Larson, U.S. Geological Survey, [email protected]

Abstract

Throughout their circumpolar range, species within the coregonine complex are ecologically and socioeconomically important and are heavily impacted by human activities. In the Laurentian Great Lakes, abundance and diversity of ciscoes is well below historic levels. The species complex has generally been preserved in Lake Superior, Lakes Huron and Michigan still contain at least one deepwater cisco form and one pelagic form, Lake Ontario only contains pelagic form, and ciscoes have been extirpated from Lake Erie. Accurate identification of forms is critical for the development of effective restoration and management plans. Currently, form classifications are based on morphometric variation. However, the relative influence of phenotypic plasticity and heritable genetic differences in determining these forms is not well understood. Here we use modern genomic techniques to construct sex-specific linkage maps for C. ardedi collected in northern Lake Huron. The female map contained 20458 loci distributed across 38 linkage groups, and the male map contained 6340 loci distributed across 40 linkage groups. The linkage map will be used as a genetic resource that will facilitate research with the aim of determining the degree of heritable genetic differences among cisco forms. 

Twitter handle of presenter
@DaniBlumstein