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Recent
advances in biotechnology have spawned exciting new techniques that can be
applied to long-standing problems in fisheries science. The Fisheries
Genetics Program bridges the gap between molecular biology and fisheries
science, using cutting-edge molecular techniques to investigate a wide
variety of fisheries-related subjects. Foremost among these are studies
of the population genetic structure or stock composition of commercially and/or
recreationally important fisheries. The program also uses molecular
techniques to determine the evolutionary histories (phylogenies) of many
marine organisms, and to identify eggs, larvae, and tissues of closely
related species. Our program has
been studying variations in the genetic relatedness of marine organisms at
the DNA level. Different regions of DNA evolve at varying rates, and
depending on the objectives of the study, particular regions are selected for
analysis. "For phylogenic studies of distantly related organisms,
we typically study regions of DNA that evolve very slowly, providing insight
into speciation events that may have occurred many millions of years
ago. On the other hand, very rapidly evolving regions of DNA are most
informative for studies of population structure within a species. By
looking at highly variable regions of DNA, we can even study differences
between individuals," says Dr. Graves. A major
contribution of the Fisheries Genetics program has been a significant
increase in our understanding of the stock structure of a variety of marine
organisms. Effective
management and conservation of a fishery require a basic knowledge of a
species population genetic (stock) structure. This information is vital
in assessing the ranges and make-up of management units (do bluefish belong
along the U.S. mid-Atlantic coast comprise a single stock, or are several
genetically distinct stocks present?), or to determine if unique genetic
variation is restricted to specific regions (will a fishery collapse in one
area if genetic variation is removed from a species?). Unfortunately,
little is known about the population genetics of many coastal fishes; even
less information exists for open ocean (pelagic) fishes.
For more information about fisheries genetics send
e-mail to John Graves (graves@vims.edu
). If you have a question or suggestion regarding content or design of this
site, contact David Kerstetter at bailey@vims.edu
. All material is property of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. |
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