Genetic and Morphological Consequences of Inter-haplogroup Hybridization in Faxonius virilis

Abstract

 Faxonius virilis were sampled from native population and introduced populations within a narrow range of the South Saskatchewan River in southern Alberta.  We hypothesize that introduced Great Lake F. virilis has hybridized with native prairie F. virilis. Tissue samples were taken for genetics, multiple specimens were collected to compare geometric morphometrics between the two known species and the hybrids. COI and GAPDH along with microsatellite markers show distinction within the grouping. The importance of this study is to identify populations of hybrids for future management plans.