Genetic Diversity of Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) in Lac la Biche, Alberta

Abstract

Genetic diversity is the variation between individuals that may confer an adaptive advantage. Ecosystem disturbances, whether anthropogenic or stochastic, often stress a population. Population management strategies are implemented to rectify ecological imbalances. Within Lac la Biche, Alberta, a fishery restoration program was implemented by Alberta Environment and Parks aimed at reducing the top predator, the double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), and increasing the population of walleye (Sander vitreus) within the lake. These changes to the predator-prey dynamics may have caused a trophic cascade that would impact lower trophic levels, such as yellow perch (Perca flavescens). This study evaluated the impacts of the fishery management strategy on the genetic diversity of yellow perch within Lac la Biche in 2009 and 2010. Genetic diversity was examined by electrophoretic DNA fragment analysis of four nuclear microsatellite loci. The number of alleles, observed and expected heterozygosity, and an inbreeding coefficient were calculated to compare the diversity of yellow perch within Lac la Biche to other populations within North America. Each loci revealed a low observed heterozygosity compared to Hardy-Weinburg equilibrium and a high inbreeding coefficient. This quantifies the health of the population and evaluates the effectiveness of the Lac la Biche management strategy.

Discipline: Biological Sciences

Faculty Mentor: Dr. David McFadyen