In these studies, we use tools from genetics to learn about lamprey biology. To date our efforts have focused on diet analysis, population genetics in the Yukon drainage and the use environmental DNA to detect lampreys in Alaska's rivers.

Katie Drews (BLM), Trent Sutton (UAF) and Andrés López have led this work.

Savannah LaBua is combining information from acoustic surveys and population genetics to understand seasonal movement and demographic characteristics of Pacific herring aggregations that use the Lynn Canal in southeast Alaska. (Herring illustration from NOAA)

We are examining the species boundary between Arctic and Bering cisco (Coregonus autumnalis and C. laurettae, respectively), two coregonin species with very similar phenotypes and abutting geographic ranges. We will be using genomic datasets to search for evidence of past or ongoing introgression in these lineages and to assess their level of functional genetic differentiation. This work is led by Andrés López in partnership with Todd Sformo (Image from Natural History of Useful Aquatic Animals)

Northern pike have been translocated to drainages south of the Alaska range and they have become established in ecosystems where they are not native. We are using genome-wide genotyping to better understand the history of translocations and compare genetic variability among and between native and invasive populations. This research is expanding and involves a large collaborative team. Ongoing population genetic analyses are coordinated by Andrés López. (Image from USFWS digital library - Ryan Hagerty - USFWS - Andreafsky R.)

We are examining relationships between lake trout populations in Alaska. We are expanding existing mitochondrial DNA datasets to relate Alaskan populations to four previously documented mitochondrial lineages in lake trout. Additionally, we are examining population affinities and divergence between lakes within the prehistoric proglacial lake Atna drainage. In this work, we are using genome-wide 'genotyping-by-sequencing' to generate expansive characterizations of standing genetic variation in the target populations. Anna Rix leads this study in partnership with ADF&G and BLM.

(Image from Muir, Hansen, Bronte and Krueger, Fish and Fisheries 2016 -- Figure 1 with fish illustrations by Paul Vescei)

Piscivorous ducks such as the Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) can be important predators of juvenile salmonids. Mergansers are regularly observed feeding near known Chinook salmon rearing areas in the Yukon River Basin. Merganser predation in these areas may be a contributing factor to ongoing Chinook salmon population declines. To better understand this species interaction we 1) inferred the presence of Chinook salmon in merganser diets using species-specific genetic assays and metabarcoding approaches on merganser scat samples (n=96) collected during the summer 2021 from the Chena and Salcha rivers 2) conducted piscivorous bird surveys along approximately 90 km of each river. We are currently working on a bioenergetics model that will use this data to estimate minimum population level predation rate of common mergansers on Chinook salmon. Erik Schoen and Justin Hill led this project.

(Photo by Justin Hill. Common merganser in the Salcha river, summer 2021)

In recent years, climate change has led to an increase in the number of significant flooding events throughout the Yukon River Basin. During some of these events, field equipment used at salmon escapement assessment sites has failed, resulting in problematic data gaps in efforts to monitor abundance of salmon spawning migrations. Through this project we will test a method that uses the amount of DNA shed (environmental DNA or "eDNA") by Chinook and chum salmon as an indicator of salmon abundance in five Yukon River tributaries. This work aims to enhance climate change resiliency of fisheries management and support climate change adaptation in Alaska Native communities. This effort is led by Erik, Maggie and Andrés in partnership with ADF&G, TCC, and USFWS. A dedicated website provides detailed information on this project here.

(Photo: salmon counting station in interior Alaska - Summer 2021)