Invasive hybridization in a threatened species is accelerated by climate change
Muhlfeld CC, Kovach R, Jones L, Al-Chokhachy R, Boyer M, Leary R, Lowe W, Luikart G, Allendorf F. 2014. Invasive hybridization in a threatened species is accelerated by climate change. Nature Climate Change. :1-5
Long term genetic monitoring data and high resolution climate and stream temperature predictions are combined to investigate the spatio-temporal spread of human-mediated hybridization between threatened native cutthroat trout and non-native rainbow trout within the Flathead River system in NW Montana. A 30 year period of accelerated warming has led to hybridization spreading rapidly through the system, driven by precipitation and temperature as well as distance to the source (hybrid) population. Decreases in spring precipitation and increases in summer stream temperatures has promoted the expansion of hybridization.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Muhlfeld, Clint; Kovach, Ryan; Jones, Leslie; Al-Chokhachy, Robert; Boyer, Matt; Leary, Robb; Lowe, Winsor; Luikart, Gordon; Allendorf, Fred
- Units
- CRCO , GLAC
- Keywords
- Aquatic Studies, Climate Change, Fisheries, gentic monitoring, Hybridization, Non-Native Species, Oncorhynchus clarkii lewsii, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Precipitation, Rainbow Trout, Salmonid, Stream temperature, Westslope cutthroat trout
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Air and Climate | Weather and Climate | Weather and Climate , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Invasive Species | Invasive/Exotic animals , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Fishes