The Effects of Species Biology, Riverine Architecture and Flow Regime upon Patterns of Genetic Diversity and Gene Flow in Three Species of Northern Australian Freshwater Fish

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
File version
Primary Supervisor

Hughes, Jane

Other Supervisors

Baker, Andrew

Editor(s)
Date
2008
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

Understanding patterns of dispersal, the movement of individuals or propagules, among populations of riverine species is imperative to their management and conservation. However, directly estimating dispersal can often be difficult. Therefore, estimates of gene flow, the movement of genes, are often used to infer dispersal among natural populations. In riverine species, gene flow is determined by species biology, riverine architecture and flow regime. While many studies investigate the role of species dispersive strategies by comparing patterns of genetic structure in different species across the same geographic range, few also attempt to investigate the role of the non-biotic influences on gene flow in a comparative manner. Instead, studies regarding landscape processes (river architecture and hydrology) are based upon observations in a single riverine environment and not compared to other catchments that may differ in riverine architecture or hydrology. This study attempts to investigate all three factors influencing gene flow and genetic diversity using a comparative approach. This is done by contrasting two species of freshwater fish in two riverine systems that differ in their hydrological and structural makeup. By comparing patterns of genetic structure for each fish species, the role of species biology (behavioural and physical adaptations) can be explored. Then, by comparing patterns of genetic structure for each species, between riverine systems that differ in their landscape processes, the role of hydrology and riverine architecture in determining genetic structure can be explored. This study employed three different genetic markers to elucidate patterns of genetic structure and genetic diversity. These were, direct sequencing and screening of the control region of the mitochondrial DNA genome, microsatellite loci and allozymes...

Journal Title
Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
Issue
Thesis Type

Thesis (PhD Doctorate)

Degree Program

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

School

School of Environment

Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement

The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.

Item Access Status

Public

Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

riverine architecture

species biology

flow regime

genertic diversity

gene flow

fish species

freshwater fish

Australia

riverine environment

genetic structure in fish

Lake Eyre Basin

Gulf of Carpentaria Basin

Neosilurus hyrtlii

ambassis macleayi

Persistent link to this record
Citation