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<br />002778 <br /> <br />with complete data were entered into a BIOSYS data base and subjected to various analyses. The <br />final report concerning morphological and a1lozyme investigations was completed in 1995 and <br />distributed to the Genetics Panel for review. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1995a) <br /> <br />ASU proceeded with the extraction and amplification ofmtDNA from samples with emphasis on <br />upper Colorado Basin populations. The researchers had sequenced essentially the entire cytochrome- <br />b gene from representatives ofall species of Gila from the United States and Mexico and several other <br />taxa in attempts to identifY a distinct group. Analysis of phylogenetic relationships indicated that this <br />gene provides only limited resolution and a different gene would need to be analyzed to define <br />relationships among taxa. To accomplish this task, the researchers started sequencing the <br />dehydrogenase 2 (ND2) gene. ND2 sequences from other minnows have worked well at this level, <br />and preliminary data indicated that these would also shed more light on relationships within and <br />among Qila, with special focus on Colorado River species. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1995b) <br /> <br />In 1996, the researchers continued to obtain ND2 sequences, focusing on Colorado River forms to <br />resolve population histories for each of the .Gilil taxa. They also completed screening the remaining <br />samples for mtDNA haplotypes (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1995c). <br /> <br />Research efforts in 1997 will focus on completion of a report on the mtDNA analyses, additional <br />analysis of allozyme data using more sensitive methods, and data synthesis. Much of the data <br />synthesis will be done by the various authors of the three parts of the .Gilil taxonomy analysis as they <br />draw conclusions on their portion. The Genetics Panel will be convened to review the resulting <br />reports and to provide answers to specific management questions. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service <br />1996a) <br /> <br />4.2 Genetic Survey of Razorback Sucker <br /> <br />Within the Propagation/Genetics Management Plan document is a section pertaining to genetics <br />information that is needed regarding the various razorback sucker populations. Also included are <br />supporting documents -protocols- which were distributed for review and use by the field teams and <br />other participants engaged in genetic sampling and collection, transport, maintenance, and <br />propagation of wild razorback sucker in refugia. <br /> <br />In May, 1990 a cooperative agreement was signed between US. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) and <br />Arizona State University (ASU) to conduct analyses of razorback sucker mitochondrial DNA <br />(mtDNA) from samples collected in Lakes Mohave and Powell (three tributaries), the Green and <br />Upper Colorado River systems, and captive populations in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Another <br />cooperative agreement was signed in August between USBR and the University of California at Los <br />Angeles (UCLA) to conduct allozyme analyses from the same samples mentioned above (U.S. Fish <br />and Wildlife Service 1990c). The purpose of these studies was to quantifY the amount of genetic <br />variation within and among the existing razorback sucker populations. <br /> <br />Following the cooperative agreement, a two part study was designed and initiated to develop non- <br />lethal tissue sampling methods to obtain genetics data from razorback sucker. Sampling protocols <br />for milt and eggs were written and dispensed to participants. Equipment was obtained and distributed <br /> <br />18 <br />