A Mitochondrial Phylogenetic Analysis of Sculpin (genus Cottus) in Montana based on the NADH Dehydrogenase Subunit 4 Gene

Authors

Andrew Moffat, Brigham Young University
R. Paul Evans, Brigham Young University

Keywords

mitochondrial phylogenetic, sculpin, genus Cottus, NADH, dehydrogenase subunit 4 gene

College

Life Sciences

Department

Microbiology and Molecular Biology

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to investigate the distribution and phylogenetic status of Cottus (sculpins) species populations in Montana relative to other species in western North America using the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) gene in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This study of the ND4 gene in sculpin could possibly provide additional insight into the historical timing of fish invasion events and provide the phylogenetic status of species in the genus Cottus. Although the distribution of aquatic vertebrates in western North America has been interpreted relative to late Pleistocene events, genetic studies of cutthroat trout have not supported that mechanism and have led to hypotheses of much earlier dispersal events. This study was initially meant to test the possibility of similar studies as trout to decipher hydrogeography, as well as decipher relationships of sculpin species located in Eastern Montana

Recommended Citation

Moffat, Andrew and Evans, R. Paul (2013) "A Mitochondrial Phylogenetic Analysis of Sculpin (genus Cottus) in Montana based on the NADH Dehydrogenase Subunit 4 Gene," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 1224.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1224