Genetic species markers and population structure in Alaskan coregonid fishes

We used 14 microsatellite loci to examine population structure in humpback whitefish (Coregonus pidschian) from 10 locations in five regions of Alaska: Arctic, Kotzebue Sound, Yukon River, Kuskokwim River, southcentral Alaska. The results revealed significant population structure at broad (across Alaska) and fine (within the Yukon River) scales that is organized spatially at three hierarchical levels. In order of descending relative diversity these three levels are: Alaska (Arctic, western Alaska, southcentral Alaska); western Alaska (Kotzebue Sound, Yukon River, Kuskokwim River); Yukon River (Koyukuk River/mainstem at Rapids, Tanana River). These results support a conservation strategy that recognizes three spatially distinct [...]