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AUTHOR: Sarah Gaughan, University of Nebraska - Omaha ABSTRACT: Invasive species such as Bighead and Silver Carp pose major risks to the Mississippi River Basin including exerting novel selection pressures on native fish species. Hybridization may be one intrinsic method to facilitate this invasion within the Mississippi River Basin. Whole genome sequencing will reveal intrinsic genetic factors which have facilitated hybridization and invasion in the Mississippi River Basin. Population genetic sequencing will identify which genotype is most prevalent across the basin and may provide insight into which native species are the most susceptible to the invasion. Combining biological data, such as total length, and genetic approaches, such as RNA/DNA ratios may help determine which genotype has the highest fitness and therefore poses the greatest threat to native species within the Mississippi River Basin. Ultimately this project will provide novel insights as to how eroding species’ barriers through hybridization facilitated this successful invasion and which native species may be particularly susceptible.
