An Analysis of the Observed Heterozygosity of Lake Trout
An analysis of the observed heterozygosity of Lake Trout populations from three lakes: Devil, Eagle, and Loughborough, inferred from microsatellite genotypes.
Abstract:
This study was undertaken in order to compare the heterozygosity of three Lake Trout populations at various loci. Samples of twenty-five Lake Trout were collected from three lakes: Devil, Eagle and Loughborough, all three of which are situated north of Kingston, Ontario. An autoradiograph was used to analyze the genotypes of the individuals at six different loci of microsatellites, which are repeat sequences in the DNA that are neutral and do not code for proteins. This data was used to compare the genetic diversity of the three different trout populations. Numerical values for observed heterozygosity (Ho) were then generated using the data and the Doh heterozygosity calculator. The results have indicated that the mean heterozygosity in respect of Devil Lake trout was significantly greater than that of the trout in Eagle Lake (p=2.89E-7) as well as that of Loughborough Lake (p=1.44E-19). Furthermore, the mean heterozygosity for Eagle Lake trout was significantly greater than that of Loughborough Lake (p=2.52E-6). This may be due to the fact that natural selection acts as a force to cause inbreeding to eliminate harmful genes causing low heterozygosity in a population. In addition, human and natural effects occurring in the lakes, for example, fishing and water temperature may cause differences in heterozygosity. Understanding and using these findings may help with sustaining fish populations.
Introduction:
Heterozygosity is the measure of the genetic variation in a population at a particular gene locus. Genetic variation within a population is important in maintaining or increasing the fitness of members in the population and ultimately the survival of the species.
Fitness describes the capability of an individual species of a certain genotype to reproduce, and is usually equal to
Abstract:
This study was undertaken in order to compare the heterozygosity of three Lake Trout populations at various loci. Samples of twenty-five Lake Trout were collected from three lakes: Devil, Eagle and Loughborough, all three of which are situated north of Kingston, Ontario. An autoradiograph was used to analyze the genotypes of the individuals at six different loci of microsatellites, which are repeat sequences in the DNA that are neutral and do not code for proteins. This data was used to compare the genetic diversity of the three different trout populations. Numerical values for observed heterozygosity (Ho) were then generated using the data and the Doh heterozygosity calculator. The results have indicated that the mean heterozygosity in respect of Devil Lake trout was significantly greater than that of the trout in Eagle Lake (p=2.89E-7) as well as that of Loughborough Lake (p=1.44E-19). Furthermore, the mean heterozygosity for Eagle Lake trout was significantly greater than that of Loughborough Lake (p=2.52E-6). This may be due to the fact that natural selection acts as a force to cause inbreeding to eliminate harmful genes causing low heterozygosity in a population. In addition, human and natural effects occurring in the lakes, for example, fishing and water temperature may cause differences in heterozygosity. Understanding and using these findings may help with sustaining fish populations.
Introduction:
Heterozygosity is the measure of the genetic variation in a population at a particular gene locus. Genetic variation within a population is important in maintaining or increasing the fitness of members in the population and ultimately the survival of the species.
Fitness describes the capability of an individual species of a certain genotype to reproduce, and is usually equal to
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