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Genomic Variation Lab
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Andrea M. Drauch |
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Graduate Group of Ecology |
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Education
Ph.D., Ecology, University of California, Davis (expected
2010).
M.S., Wildlife Genetics, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue
University, 2005.
B.S., Biology, Hillsdale College, 2003
Research
I am generally interested in using molecular techniques to understand population ecological characteristics of fish and other organisms. I am particularly interested in the conservation and ecology of long-lived aquatic organisms such as sturgeons. See below for information on my research projects. Clicking on the title will direct to a page with more detailed information.
Parentage Assignment in the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho White Sturgeon Conservation Aquaculture Program
The ESA-listed Kootenai River white sturgeon population has suffered from negligible recruitment for the past 20-30 years. Currently, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho is managing a conservation aquaculture program for this population to maintain it in the absence of natural recruitment. To avoid inbreeding, the Tribe has been interested in applying techniques to determine relationships between potential broodstock before spawning in the hatchery. Previous work in the GVL using eight microsatellite loci found that low levels of genetic variation in this species hindered successful parentage assignment within full-sib families of known parentage. I have optimized eight additional microsatellite loci and used these in combination with the previous eight loci to test the accuracy of parentage assignment within known full-sib families produced by the Kootenai hatchery.
Inheritance of Nine Microsatellite Loci in the Polyploid White Sturgeon
The white sturgeon is a degenerative octoploid, meaning that although the species’ chromosome pairing resembles that of diploids, white sturgeon retain up to eight or more copies of many gene regions in their genome. I am using full-sibling families of known parentage to document inheritance of nine microsatellite loci in the polyploid white sturgeon.
Molecular Ecology of White Sturgeon:
For part of my dissertation work, I am proposing to use genetic markers to examine population-level characteristics of white sturgeon populations across the species’ range. I have three major objectives:
1. To estimate the number of spawners contributing to
year-classes among Sacramento River, Columbia River, and Snake River white
sturgeon populations.
2. To determine if the white sturgeon that spawn in the Sacramento River
utilize estuary habitats outside the management jurisdictions of the state
of California.
3. To evaluate range-wide population structure across the species’ range.
For my MS research (completed at Purdue University) I focused on the reintroduction genetics of lake sturgeon, an imperiled sturgeon species inhabiting the Hudson Bay, Great Lakes, and Mississippi River drainages. I used microsatellite markers and control region sequence data to 1) characterize a remnant lake sturgeon population in the Ohio River drainage and assess its suitability for use as a source for reintroductions in that system, and 2) evaluate the success of lake sturgeon reintroductions in the Mississippi River system. I am hoping to collaborate with a previous GVL researcher (Amy Welsh) to describe the range-wide population structure of the species, as well as evaluate its phylogeography. Preliminary work by Ferguson and Duckworth (1997) suggests that the current distribution of lake sturgeon is the result of post-glacial recolonization from two separate refugia: the Missourian and Mississippian. Amy and I hope to test this hypothesis using mitochondrial sequence data collected from a comprehensive sample of the species across its natural range.
World Sturgeon Conservation Society - http://www.wscs.info/
Great Lakes Lake Sturgeon Website - http://www.fws.gov/Midwest/sturgeon/
White Sturgeon in British Columbia - http://www.bcfisheries.gov.bc.ca/fishhabitats/Sturgeon/Sturgeon.htm
California Department of Fish and Game - http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fishing/
Missouri Department of Conservation - http://www.mdc.mo.gov/
Indiana Department of Natural Resources - http://www.state.in.us/dnr/
Rhodes Wildlife Genetics Lab - http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/fnr/html/faculty/Rhodes/
UC Davis Graduate Group of Ecology - http://ecology.ucdavis.edu/
I enjoy reading, traveling, hiking, running and wildlife photography. I am excited to travel to Africa and India after finishing my PhD to experience international living for several months before settling down at a “for real” job.
