Delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus), endemic to the San Francisco Estuary, are currently listed as threatened under the Federal and California State Endangered Species Acts. Populations have declined steeply in their abundance index over the last several years, primarily due to consequences from water export facilities, pollution, and introduced species. Due to this drastic decline, the establishment of a captive delta smelt refugial population has been initiated at the Fish Conservation and Culture Lab (FCCL) in Byron, CA.

I am developing microsatellite markers to determine the current genetic population structure of Delta smelt throughout the San Francisco Estuary. I will perform detailed population analyses to determine local effective population sizes, mating experiments to determine polyandry and polygyny, genomic mapping, and long-term monitoring of the genetic health of the refugial populations. I will also determine the current extent of hybridization between Delta smelt and Longfin and Wakasagi smelt. The results of my study will be used to make recommendations for the development of the refugial population at the FCCL to preserve the genetic and phenotypic diversity of wild Delta smelt, in an effort to protect this species from extinction.