The Separation of Suspected Subspecies of Cutthroat Trout Using Mitochondrial DNA Sequences

Authors

Becky A. Shiozawa, Brigham Young University
R. Paul Evans, Brigham Young University

Keywords

subspecies, cutthroat trout, mitochondrial DNA, Oncorhynchus clarki

College

Life Sciences

Department

Physiology and Developmental Biology

Abstract

Current mitochondrial DNA techniques using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) are still unsuccessful in determining phylogenetic relationships between subspecies of cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki), such as the relationships between Snake River finespot cutthroat trout and Yellowstone cutthroat trout, Bear River Bonneville cutthroat trout and Yellowstone cutthroat trout, and Lahontan cutthroat trout and its subspecies. Due to these groups distinct geological or ecological separation and the relatively rapid rate of mtDNA evolution, it is likely distinctive markers exist for these subspecies within mtDNA. Identification of such markers would be valuable for identification and future research on the subspecies.

Recommended Citation

Shiozawa, Becky A. and Evans, R. Paul (2014) "The Separation of Suspected Subspecies of Cutthroat Trout Using Mitochondrial DNA Sequences," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014: Iss. 1, Article 905.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/905