Landscape genetics of salmonid invasions in the South Hemisphere

S Consuegra del Olmo, CJ Thomas & Gracia de Leaniz

This project will address three fundamental questions regarding the effect of exotic salmonids as potential drivers of rapid evolution on native fish populations: (1) Are exotic salmonids displacing native galaxiids away from their preferred habitats into to sub-optimal areas, or forcing them to change their diet? (2) Has the presence of exotic salmonids affected the genetic structure of native galaxiid populations? And (3) How does landscape and location of fish farms affect the distribution of exotic salmonids and their effect upon native galaxiids?
This is a collaborative and multidisciplinary project that combines ecology, genetics and geographic modelling to address a fundamental question in invasion biology. It will be carried out under the umbrella of an ongoing Darwin Initiative in Chile (“Reducing the Impact of Exotic Aquaculture on Chilean Aquatic Biodiversity”, www.biodiversity.cl, 2007-2010) which will provide the necessary logistic support for field work and genetic analyses. Field work will be carried out for six to eight months in Chile during which the student will have the chance to work in collaboration with the researchers of the Darwin Initiative and learn ecological sampling techniques. The student will also receive training in molecular genetics techniques and computer modelling (including advanced statistics, geographic information systems and terrain modelling).