Genetic evidence for a population bottleneck in the Olympic mudminnow (Novumbra hubbsi)
Pickens DC. 2003. Genetic evidence for a population bottleneck in the Olympic mudminnow (Novumbra hubbsi)
The Olympic Mudminnow, Novumbra hubbsi, is the only species of the genus Novumbra and is endemic to the lowlands of the Olympic Peninsula. The distribution and natural history of the species has been extensively studied, but no population genetics studies have been performed. I investigated population structure using comparisons of partial DNA sequences of the mitrochondrial gene coding for the transmembrane protein cytochrome B. Sequences from five individuals from each of seven populations throughout the range of the species were examined and yielded only one nucleotide substitution in one individual. The extreme homogeneity of N. hubbsi suggests the occurrence of population bottlenecks during the last ice age with subsequent limited range expansions. These bottlenecks were likely caused by massive glaciations of the Olympic Peninsula and Puget Sound during the advance of the Vashon Ice sheet about 14,000 years ago. Future studies should examine genetic variation at nuclear DNA loci to determine the extent of homogeneity and whether the lack of variation has fitness consequences.
- Type
- Academic
- Authors
- Pickens, Drue
- Date of Issue
- 2003-05-14
- Units
- OLYM
- Keywords
- Endemic, Genetics, Olympic mudminnow (Novumbra hubbsi), phylogenetics, thesis