Who’s there? Using genomics to answer cisco (Coregonus artedi) population questions in Lake Superior

Session: Application of Genomic Tools to Inform Management of the Great Lakes (4)

Hannah Lachance, University of Vermont, [email protected]
Wesley Larson, U.S. Geological Survey, [email protected]
Verena Lucke, University of Vermont, [email protected]
Jason Stockwell, University of Vermont, Rubenstein Ecosystem Sci. Lab., [email protected]

Abstract

Cisco (Coregonus artedi) is a focus for conservation and restoration efforts in the Great Lakes. However, fundamental questions about cisco ecology and genetics remain. For example, we have limited knowledge of the genetic structure or effective population size of some cisco populations. To increase the probability for success in restoration efforts, current and future research needs to integrate traditional and novel approaches to better understand what leads to current and future cisco success. My research incorporates genomic tools such as RADseq to boost our comprehension of current populations and to help understand how cisco may respond to environmental threats. In 2018, we sampled the larval cisco population in the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior each week throughout the entire larval stage. We are using population genomics to assess relatedness and effective population size to help answer questions such as how many parents effectively contribute to the population and if the population has any underlying genetic structure. Additionally, we plan to identify early signals of natural selection in the population at this life stage. By looking for changes in the population structure before and after an environmental event we gain a better understanding of how future events could impact the population.

Twitter handle of presenter
@HannahMLachance