Publication
Historical stocking data and 19th century DNA reveal human‐induced changes to native diversity and distribution of cutthroat trout
Publisher:
Wiley
Date:
24-09-2012
DOI:
10.1111/MEC.12028
Abstract: Many species are threatened with extinction and efforts are underway worldwide to restore imperilled species to their native ranges. Restoration requires knowledge of species' historical ersity and distribution. For some species, many populations were extirpated or in iduals moved beyond their native range before native ersity and distribution were documented, resulting in a lack of accurate information for establishing restoration goals. Moreover, traditional taxonomic assessments often failed to accurately capture phylogenetic ersity. We illustrate a general approach for estimating regional native ersity and distribution for cutthroat trout in the Southern Rocky Mountains. We assembled a large archive of historical records documenting human-mediated change in the distribution of cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) and combined these data with phylogenetic analysis of 19th century s les from museums collected prior to trout stocking activities and contemporary DNA s les. Our study of the trout in the Southern Rocky Mountains uncovered six ergent lineages, two of which went extinct, probably in the early 20th century. A third lineage, previously declared extinct, was discovered surviving in a single stream outside of its native range. Comparison of the historical and modern distributions with stocking records revealed that the current distribution of trout largely reflects intensive stocking early in the late 19th and early 20th century from two phylogenetically and geographically distinct sources. Our documentation of recent extinctions, undescribed lineages, errors in taxonomy and dramatic range changes induced by human movement of fish underscores the importance of the historical record when developing and implementing conservation plans for threatened and endangered species.