Dr. Mark Poesch and Master student Taylor Mac Leod attended and presented at the Canadian Freshwater Species at Risk Research Network symposium
on Nov. 13-14, 2019 in Ontario.
Category Archives: Conservation of Freshwater Fishes
Freshwater fishes are among the most imperiled groups globally with rates of decline comparable to declines in tropical rainforest species. Research in the PoeschLab focuses on developing a better understanding of the mechanisms for the decline of freshwater organisms. This research has four main themes, including: 1) threats to freshwater species at risk, 2) stream augmentation and hydrologic alteration, 3) climate change impacts to freshwater fishes, and 4) the spread and impact of invasive species. To achieve our research goals we utilize a variety of expertise in the PoeschLab and the University of Alberta. This includes expertise in: movement ecology and telemetry, assessing foodwebs using stable isotope analysis, population genetics and environmental DNA (eDNA) and morphology and swim performance.
Prussian Carp research in southern Alberta (Magazine: New Trail)
Here’s what you need to know about Prussian carp. They’re an invasive species of clones. Hundreds of thousands of mostly identical Prussian carp are now aggressively populating the Red Deer, Bow and South Saskatchewan river basins (link to article).
Fish DNA in lake sediment can help determine native species, study shows (Magazine: Folio)
New research by members of the lab could aid fish conservation efforts in provincial parks in Alberta and British Columbia.
Also Read:
Nelson-Chorney, H.*, Carli, C.M., Davis, C.S., Vinebrooke, R.D., Poesch, M.S., and M.K. Taylor (2019) Environmental DNA in lake sediment reveals biogeography of native genetic diversity. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 17: 313-318.
Abstract:
Understanding the historical distributions of species is vital to the conservation and restoration of native species, yet such information is often qualitative. We show that the paleolimnological history of threatened freshwater fishes can be reconstructed using species‐diagnostic markers amplified from environmental DNA deposited in lake sediments (lake sedDNA). This method was validated through the detection of lake sedDNA from non‐native trout (Yellowstone cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri), which corroborated historical records of human‐mediated introductions. We also discovered native trout (westslope cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) lake sedDNA that predated human‐mediated introductions of freshwater fishes in a watershed with high topographical relief. This unexpected result revealed that the westslope population was of native origin and requires immediate conservation protection. Our findings demonstrate that lake sedDNA can be used to determine the colonization history of freshwater fishes and the structure of ecosystems, aiding in the identification of native ranges, novel native diversity, and introductions of non‐native species.
Citation: Nelson-Chorney, H., Carli, C.M., Davis, C.S., Vinebrooke, R.D., Poesch, M.S., and M.K. Taylor (2019) Environmental DNA in lake sediment reveals biogeography of native genetic diversity. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 17: 313-318.
Also Read:
*Lab members: Hedin Nelson-Chorney, Mark Poesch. Check out opportunities in the lab!
Nelson-Chorney, H. (2019) Paleolimnological reconstruction of Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi) in alpine lakes using a next-generation sequencing platform.
Thesis Title: Paleolimnological Reconstruction of Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi) in Alpine Lakes using a Next-Generation Sequencing Platform (link; co-supervisors: R. Vinebrooke, M. Taylor)
Author: Hedin Nelson-Chorney
Abstract
Understanding historical species distributions is vital to the conservation and restoration of native species, yet such information is often qualitative. Here, we show that the paleolimnological history of threatened freshwater fishes can be reconstructed using species diagnostic markers amplified from environmental DNA deposited in lake sediments (lake sediment DNA). This method was validated through the detection of lake sediment DNA from non-native trout (Yellowstone cutthroat trout; Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri), which corroborated historical records of human-mediated introductions. Moreover, we discovered native trout (westslope cutthroat trout; Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) lake sediment DNA that predated human-mediated introductions of freshwater fishes in a watershed with high topographical relief. This unexpected result revealed that the population was of native origin and requires immediate conservation protection. Our findings demonstrate that lake sediment DNA can be used to determine the colonization history of freshwater fishes and the structure of ecosystems, aiding in the identification of native ranges, novel native diversity, and introductions of non-native species.
The Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation Lab attend the Canadian Section of The Wildlife Society meeting in Canmore AB
Four members of the Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation Lab attended the Canadian Section of The Wildlife Society meeting in Canmore AB. Michael Terry gave a presentation, while Karling Roberts, Sebastian Theis and Taylor Lund gave poster presentations. Great job team!
Dr. Poesch gives presentation on impacts of Prussian Carp to freshwater fishes at the Alberta Invasive Species Council meeting in LaCombe, AB.
Thanks to the Alberta Invasive Species Council for the invitation to present some of our research and to discuss Prussian Carp more broadly!
The Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation Lab attends the Canadian Science Advisory Meeting on Offsetting in Ottawa
Dr. Poesch, Karling Roberts and Sebatian Theis joined the Canadian Science Advisory Meeting on Offsetting in Ottawa. Thanks to Fisheries and Oceans Canada and all the participants for a great meeting!
The Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation Lab attends the Canadian Freshwater Species at Risk Research Network Workshop in Burlington, Ontario
Dr. Poesch and Taylor MacLeod joined the Canadian Freshwater Species at Risk Network Workshop in Burlington, Ontario. Thanks to Fisheries and Oceans Canada and all the participants for a great meeting! Freshwater species at risk research is growing!!!
Dr. Poesch attends Canadian Science Advisory Meeting on Allowable Harm for Species at Risk
Dr. Poesch provided science advice on determining allowable harm for species at risk in Ottawa, Ontario.