Ecomorphological and Genetic Investigations Into the Utah Lake, UT Sucker Complex with Comparisons to the Jackson Lake, WY Sucker Complex David Cole
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Utah State University DigitalCommons@USU All Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 5-2014 Ecomorphological and Genetic Investigations into the Utah Lake, UT Sucker Complex with Comparisons to the Jackson Lake, WY Sucker Complex David Cole Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd Part of the Biology Commons, and the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons Recommended Citation Cole, David, "Ecomorphological and Genetic Investigations into the Utah Lake, UT Sucker Complex with Comparisons to the Jackson Lake, WY Sucker Complex" (2014). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 2122. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/2122 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. i ECOMORPHOLOGICAL AND GENETIC INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE UTAH LAKE, UT SUCKER COMPLEX WITH COMPARISONS TO THE JACKSON LAKE, WY SUCKER COMPLEX by David D. Cole A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Ecology Approved: ____________________ ____________________ Todd Crowl Karen Mock Major Professor Committee Member ____________________ ____________________ Phaedra Budy Chris Luecke Committee Member Committee Member ____________________ ____________________ Mike Pfrender Mark R. McLellan Committee Member Vice President for Research and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY Logan, Utah 2014 ii Copyright © David D. Cole 2014 All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT Ecomorphological and Genetic Investigations into the Utah Lake, UT Sucker Complex with Comparisons to the Jackson Lake, WY Sucker Complex by David D. Cole, Doctor of Philosophy Utah State University, 2014 Major Professor: Dr. Todd A. Crowl Department: Watershed Sciences Ecomorphological specialization within Catostomidae in several large western North American lakes has produced populations including typical benthic suckers (Catostomus) and lakesuckers (Chasmistes), mid-water planktivores, with a continuum of morphologies existing between them. All extant lakesuckers are endangered, and population declines have been attributed in part to hybridization with sympatric Catostomus spp. Chapter 2 describes assessment for concordance of morphological and genetic variation in suckers in Utah Lake, Utah (June sucker, Chasmistes liorus; Utah sucker, Catostomus ardens; and suckers of intermediate morphology) by comparing a morphological analysis with amplified fragment length polymorphism and microsatellite analyses. Suckers were differentiated using characters associated with presumed feeding strategies: zooplanktivory (June sucker) and benthivory (Utah sucker). No molecular evidence was found for deep genetic iv divergence between morphs or for hybridization among ancient lineages. Slight population structuring accompanied substantial morphological variation. Chapter 3 describes the investigation of distribution and movement, spawning behavior, and diet of suckers in Utah Lake and their growth at different densities in a laboratory experiment. Acoustic / radio telemetry revealed little difference in movement and distribution of June sucker and Utah sucker or in timing of spawning runs. Stable isotopes analysis revealed that Utah sucker were enriched in 13C relative to June sucker as presumed diets would predict. Intermediate morphs were intermediate for δ13C and δ15N. Neither species nor density was a significant predictor of growth rate of June sucker or Utah sucker reared at different conspecific densities. Chapter 4 examines morphology, genetics, and diet of the sucker population in Jackson Lake, Wyoming, once home of the extinct Snake River sucker, Chasmistes muriei, a lakesucker known from a single specimen. Currently, suckers in Jackson Lake are identified as Utah sucker; however, recently sampled individuals resemble lakesucker. No molecular evidence was found for deep genetic divergence between lakesucker and benthic morphs or for hybridization among ancient lineages. The benthic morph was significantly enriched in 13C relative to the lakesucker morph, consistent with presumed diets. Morphologically, the lone Snake River sucker holotype specimen grouped strongly with extant lakesucker morphs, suggesting that the status of the Snake River sucker be updated accordingly. (262 pages) v PUBLIC ABSTRACT Ecomorphological and Genetic Investigations into the Utah Lake, UT Sucker Complex with Comparisons to the Jackson Lake, WY Sucker Complex David D. Cole Natural selection within the sucker family of fishes has produced populations including typical benthic (bottom-feeding) suckers (Catostomus) and lakesuckers (Chasmistes), mid-water plankton eaters, in several large western North American lakes. Suckers of intermediate morphology (shape) exist in a continuum of head, mouth, and body characteristics between these two extremes. All current lakesuckers are listed Endangered, and population declines have been attributed in part to hybridization with their Catostomus neighbors. Chapter 2 describes the investigation of the relationship between morphology and genetics of June sucker, a lakesucker, and Utah sucker, a benthic sucker, in Utah Lake, Utah. Despite the substantial morphological differences, June sucker and Utah sucker were indistinguishable genetically. Although many suckers were of intermediate morphology, there was no evidence of hybridization between ancient June sucker and Utah sucker lineages, suggesting perhaps the Utah Lake population is diverging into two populations rather than converging into one. Chapter 3 describes the ecology of Utah Lake suckers. Telemetry studies using surgically implanted transmitters revealed little difference in movement and vi distribution of June sucker and Utah sucker or in the timing of their spawning runs. An investigation into diet confirmed that June sucker were predominantly planktivorous (plankton eaters) whereas Utah sucker were benthivorous (bottom feeders), with intermediates in between. Chapter 4 examines morphology, genetics, and diet of the sucker population in Jackson Lake, Wyoming, once home of the extinct Snake River sucker, Chasmistes muriei, a lakesucker known from a single specimen. Currently, suckers in Jackson Lake are identified as Utah sucker, however, recently sampled individuals resemble lakesuckers (Snake River sucker?). Similar to the Utah Lake suckers, no genetic evidence was found for deep divergence between lakesucker and Utah (benthic) sucker in Jackson Lake or for hybridization among two ancient lineages. Also as in Utah Lake suckers, an investigation into diet showed that lakesuckers were predominantly planktivorous (plankton eaters) whereas Utah sucker were benthivorous (bottom feeders), with intermediates exploiting both food sources. Morphologically, the lone Snake River sucker specimen was extremely similar to current lakesuckers in Jackson Lake, suggesting that the Snake River sucker is not extinct and in need of a status update. vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am deeply thankful to my major advisor, Todd Crowl, and committee members, Pfraedra Budy, Chris Luecke, Karen Mock, and Mike Pfrender for their mentorship, collaboration, and sound advice. I am grateful for the field / laboratory assistance provided by Marianne Crawford, Kevin Landom, Kris Buelow, David Kikkert, Kirk Bagley, Jessie Larsen, Shilah Morley, Eric Billman, Andy Crowl, and Lee Bjerregaard. Analytical / statistical assistance was graciously provided by Mark Miller, Susan Durham, and Leigh Latta. Valuable technical support was provided by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (Native Aquatic Species), with special thanks extended to Krissy Wilson and Josh Rasmussen. I especially thank Chris Keleher for his continued discussion of past information and current ideas. I am grateful to the June Sucker Recovery Implementation Program and the Ecology Center, the Watershed Sciences Department, and the School of Graduate Studies of Utah State University for financial support. Further financial support was provided by the S. J. and Jesse E. Quinney College of Natural Resources of USU (Quinney Fellowship and Stokes – Leopold Scholar Award) . This research was supported by a grants (5-43471 and 5-43629) from the Central Utah Water Conservancy District to T. A. Crowl. Finally, I am thankful for the support of family and friends through this endeavor, most especially, Mary Orians! David Cole viii CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................... iii PUBLIC ABSTRACT ............................................................................................ v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...................................................................................... vii LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................. x LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................. xiii CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................. 1 References ........................................................................... 3 2. MORPHOLOGICAL AND GENETIC STRUCTURING IN THE UTAH LAKE SUCKER COMPLEX ..................................... 5 Abstract ...............................................................................