Determination of Genetic Diversity of River Otter Populations in Minnesota

Location

CSU 203

Start Date

24-4-2007 8:15 AM

End Date

24-4-2007 9:45 AM

Student's Major

Biological Sciences

Student's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Mentor's Name

John D. Krentz

Mentor's Department

Biological Sciences

Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Second Mentor's Name

Robert E. Sorensen

Second Mentor's Department

Biological Sciences

Second Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Description

Natural populations differ genetically from one another primarily because of natural selection and limitations on the exchange of individuals (restricted gene flow). Because a population's ability to adapt to a changing environment depends on genetic variability, a restriction in the exchange of individuals may subsequently result in reduced population variability. Knowledge regarding the genetic make-up of populations is important in the conservation of biological diversity by allowing the identification of potential source populations and to maintain variability in small populations. Once widespread, river otter populations in Minnesota were greatly reduced or eliminated due to human activity. Current populations have rebounded and translocations of animals from source populations to areas of local extinction such as the Minnesota River have occurred or are being contemplated. My goal was to quantify genetic differences among populations of river otters intimately associated with drainage systems in Minnesota to formulate a phylogenetic map. I hypothesized that populations which are connected by river systems would exchange individuals more frequently, and thus would be more similar genetically. To collect data, otter tissue was received from trappers. I used DNA sequence data from prior studies in other states to develop a method for genotyping Minnesota otters. I compared genotypes of 185 otters at three loci from the Mississippi River and to the St. Louis River population (which is not connected to the Mississippi River). Genotypic data generated from genotyped otters and conclusions will be presented.

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Apr 24th, 8:15 AM Apr 24th, 9:45 AM

Determination of Genetic Diversity of River Otter Populations in Minnesota

CSU 203

Natural populations differ genetically from one another primarily because of natural selection and limitations on the exchange of individuals (restricted gene flow). Because a population's ability to adapt to a changing environment depends on genetic variability, a restriction in the exchange of individuals may subsequently result in reduced population variability. Knowledge regarding the genetic make-up of populations is important in the conservation of biological diversity by allowing the identification of potential source populations and to maintain variability in small populations. Once widespread, river otter populations in Minnesota were greatly reduced or eliminated due to human activity. Current populations have rebounded and translocations of animals from source populations to areas of local extinction such as the Minnesota River have occurred or are being contemplated. My goal was to quantify genetic differences among populations of river otters intimately associated with drainage systems in Minnesota to formulate a phylogenetic map. I hypothesized that populations which are connected by river systems would exchange individuals more frequently, and thus would be more similar genetically. To collect data, otter tissue was received from trappers. I used DNA sequence data from prior studies in other states to develop a method for genotyping Minnesota otters. I compared genotypes of 185 otters at three loci from the Mississippi River and to the St. Louis River population (which is not connected to the Mississippi River). Genotypic data generated from genotyped otters and conclusions will be presented.

Recommended Citation

McCalla, Sunnie. "Determination of Genetic Diversity of River Otter Populations in Minnesota." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 24, 2007.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2007/oral-session-11/4