Fish community dynamics investigations are aided by the ability to analyze genetic variation both above and below the species level. Protein, nuclear, and mitochondrial DNA variation are used at the Center to investigate genetic relationships within and among fish populations and to determine the species, stock, or hatchery origin of fish. The genetics lab has equipment to synthesize DNA from regions of interest (polymerase chain reaction), sequence DNA, separate, and visualize nucleic acids and proteins. Center scientists are currently focusing on combining genetic data with GIS and traditional fisheries data to monitor trends in stock structure and abundance.

Problem: Are splake reproducing in Lake Superior? Determine if suspected splake backcrosses from Munising Bay, Lake Superior are actually backcrosses.

Method: Use samples of hatchery lake trout, brook trout, and splake stocked into Lake Superior to create baseline genetic profiles for each species and hybrid. Analyze unknowns and compare to baseline.

Different allele frequencies at microsatellite DNA loci like Sfo1 allow us to distinguish among lake trout, brook trout, and splake.

Result: It is possible to distinguish between lake trout, brook trout, and splake using microsatellite DNA markers. Of the 9 unknowns, 7 had genotypes consistent with those of splake, 1 was consistent with lake trout and 1 with brook trout.