Sep

3

2007
 
 

Some fins wrong



Two decades of intensive effort to save the wrong species, DNA shocker

We got the wrong fish!Genetic tools are invaluable in the quest to unravel evolution’s pathway, but they’re also uncovering conservation bloopers, as a study published in Molecular Ecology shows. Efforts to save the endangered greenback cutthroat trout Oncorhynchhus clarkii stomias – through the reintroduction of captive bred fish to cleared and restored habitats – were recently hailed a success, and the subspecies’ federal protection could soon be lifted. Not so fast, say a group of scientists led by the University of Colorado’s Jessica Metcalf. Their DNA analysis sprang a nasty surprise: many of the donor populations for the breeding program were actually the closely related Colorado cutthroat trout O. c. pleuriticus. Within it’s native range, the greenback cutthroat trout is currently at a greater risk of extinction than ever before. At least we know now… Source: Metcalf JL, Pritchard VL, Silvestri SM, Jenkins JB, Wood JS, Cowley DE, Evans RP, Shiozawa DK & Martin AP (2007) Across the great divide: genetic forensics reveals misidentification of endangered cutthroat trout populations. Molecular Ecology DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2007.03472.x

Related story in Conservation magazine: Do No Harm

Image © Austin Dunlap

Filed Under Endangered species, Habitat, Restoration, Fresh water, Monitoring, Tools and technology | 

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Comments

2 Responses to “Some fins wrong”

  1. Willi on September 5th, 2007 6:27 pm

    That’s depressing

  2. Eggs is eggs : Journal Watch Online on September 13th, 2007 6:39 pm

    […] Related story in Conservation magazine: Some Fins Wrong […]

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