Project: Application of DNA-based Genetic Markers to Determine Differences in Susceptible and Non-susceptible Tubifex tubifex Populations to Myxobolus cerebralis from the Upper Colorado River and Windy Gap Reservoir

Primary Investigator: Katherine Beauchamp
Project Summary: The investigators examined the geographic distribution of Tubifex tubifex by genetic screening at 20 sites above, below and within the Windy Gap Reservoir on the upper Colorado River. The sites varied with respect to land and water use practices and represented habitats that were presumed to be more or less conducive to oligochaete abundance and diversity and where impacts of whirling disease on rainbow trout were considered high, moderate or low. The results suggest that the distribution of various genotypes of T. tubifex are one important factor in determining whether rainbow trout in specific aquatic environments will be more apt to experience severe effects of whirling disease. Sites with a greater abundance of T. tubifex from M. cerebralis resistant lineages may prevent the parasite from reaching concentrations where rainbow trout population impacts occur.
Funding Period: 2001-2002
Final Report: Beauchamp_01-02.pdf
Dataset(s) associated with this project:

There are no datasets associated with this project.