Institute: North Dakota
Year Established: 2006 Start Date: 2006-03-01 End Date: 2007-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $2,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $4,000
Principal Investigators: Craig Stockwell
Abstract: The Johnny Darter, Etheostoma nigrum (Rafinesque), with its large range and abundant populations, is an excellent species to study to answer phylogeographic questions about North Dakota and Minnesota. The genetic diversity of E. nigrum will be studied by using microsatellite PCR primers designed initially for other species of Etheostoma and recently optimized for E. nigrum. This information will provide not only the inferred gene flow among the darters but will also provide a baseline against which to evaluate gene flow for other fish species located in the same water bodies. In turn, this information can be used by managers for conserving genetic diversity within and among watersheds.