Líffræðifélag Íslands - biologia.is
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2017
Erindi/veggspjald / Talk/poster E79
Höfundar / Authors: Marcos Lagunas (1), Lieke Ponsioen (1), Arnar Pálsson (1), Zophonías O. Jónsson (1), Sigurður S. Snorrason (1)
Starfsvettvangur / Affiliations: Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences – University of Iceland
Kynnir / Presenter: Marcos Lagunas
Phenotypic divergence and polymorphism is common in populations of freshwater fishes that inhabit water bodies formed after the last glacial age. To some extent this stems from variable selective pressures in the environments colonized. Brown trout (Salmo trutta) is a native fish species in Iceland, presenting anadromous, riverine, and lake resident populations. They exhibit extensive variation in size but less is known about variation in shape, coloration and genetic makeup.
We are studying the phenotypic variation and genetic relatedness of Brown trout populations in the watersheds of Iakes Þingvallavatn and Úlfljósvatn, which were subjected to human impact events in past decades. We use RAD sequencing to identify SNP loci that we could use as genetic markers to assess the genetic connectedness/divergence of these populations. Morphometric analyses are employed to evaluate variation within and among populations and to test for associations with ecological variables (e.g. comparisons between riverine and lacustrine habitats).
Preliminary results show that the degree of genetic differentiation correlates with the geographic distribution of the populations. Morphological analyses showed a clustering that demarcated populations, but did not reflect type of habitat.
These genetic and phenotypic data will constitute a good foundation to determine which selective pressures are at play, allowing us to start addressing questions about adaptations to different habitats.