Laserfiche WebLink
hybridize within a 50-mile reach of the Yampa River in Colorado between Craig and Lily <br />Park. The management implications are considerable. For example, is this hybridization <br />ongoing? And if so, what is the potential for downstream contamination of other native <br />suckers populations? Herein we utilize cutting-edge molecular genetic approaches to <br />determine the extent and magnitude of this event, and to compare field identification of <br />hybrdiy with molecular diagnosis of genotype in an attempt to judge the former as a <br />tool for the rapid evaluation of hybridity. <br />METHODS AND MATERIALS <br />Sampling-Samples of Flannelmouth (Catostomus lafipinnis), Bluehead [C. <br />(Pantosteus) discobolus] and White (C. commersoni) Suckers, as well as potential <br />hybrid specimens among these three species, were collected in the Yampa River <br />through collaboration with Rick Anderson (CDOW, Grand Junction). Sampling was <br />conducted 25-27 July 2001 within the river reach from Round Bottom (RM 122) to <br />Morgan Gulch (RM 104) (Figure 1). In addition, collection ki#s were provided to R. <br />Anderson so that tissues could be collected during subsequent trips later that summer. <br />Fish were captured via electro-fishing from inflatable rafts. Each specimen was <br />identified as to species or hybrid status, based on phenotype (e.g., body shape, <br />coloration and lip morphology). A single person (R. Anderson) made all field <br />identifications. Total length (TL) was measured to the nearest mm, and a fin clip was <br />harvested from each specimen and preserved immediately in 100% ethanol. Fin clips of <br />specimen identfied as pure Flannelmouth or Bluehead sucker, were split and an aliquot <br />sent to Dr. Dennis Shiozawa at Bringham Young University (Utah) to be used in his <br />CDOW funded project on West Slope native fishes. <br />DNA extraction-Genomic DNA was extracted using the PureGene DNA Isolation <br />Kit (GentraSystems). Yields were generally high (1000 ng DNA/ microliter). A few <br />samples had been inadvertently preserved by CDOW personnel in acetone rather than <br />8 <br />