Understanding patterns of dispersal, the movement of individuals or propagules, among populations of riverine species is imperative to their management and conservation. However, directly estimating dispersal can often be difficult. Therefore, estimates of gene flow, the movement of genes, are often used to infer dispersal among natural populations. In riverine species, gene flow is determined by species biology, riverine architecture and flow regime. While many studies investigate the role of species dispersive strategies by comparing patterns of genetic structure in different species across the same geographic range, few also attempt to investigate the role of the non-biotic influences on gene flow in a comparative manner. Instead, studies regarding landscape processes (river architecture and hydrology) are based upon observations in a single riverine environment and not compared to other catchments that may differ in riverine architecture or hydrology.
This study attempts to investigate all three factors influencing gene flow and genetic diversity using a comparative approach. This is done by contrasting two species of freshwater fish in two riverine systems that differ in their hydrological and structural makeup. By comparing patterns of genetic structure for each fish species, the role of species biology (behavioural and physical adaptations) can be explored. Then, by comparing patterns of genetic structure for each species, between riverine systems that differ in their landscape processes, the role of hydrology and riverine architecture in determining genetic structure can be explored. This study employed three different genetic markers to elucidate patterns of genetic structure and genetic diversity. These were, direct sequencing and screening of the control region of the mitochondrial DNA genome, microsatellite loci and allozymes...
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/282823 |
| Date | January 2008 |
| Creators | Huey, Joel Anthony, na |
| Publisher | Griffith University. School of Environment |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | http://www.gu.edu.au/disclaimer.html), Copyright Joel Anthony Huey |
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