Arctic grayling neutral genomic microsatellite loci from the Kuparuk, the Sagavanirktok (primarily Oksrukuyik Creek) and the Itkillik (primarily the I-Minus outlet stream) watersheds, 2010-2014

Since 2009, The FISHSCAPE Project (National Science Foundation grants: 1719267, 1417754, and 0902153), based at Toolik Field Station, has monitored physical, chemical, and biological parameters within three watersheds: The Kuparuk (including Toolik Lake and Toolik outlet stream), The Sagavanirktok (primarily Oksrukuyik Creek, but also including sections of the Atigun River and Tea and Galbraith Lakes), and Itkillik (primarily the I-Minus outlet stream a tributary that that feeds into the Itkilik River). Goals of the FISHSCAPE project are to understand and predict the adaptability and persistence of a key Arctic species, the Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus), to changing climate and hydrology. Research questions include: (1) Does landscape structure determine movement within and among watersheds; (2) do populations adapt to stream characteristics at local and regional scales; and (3) will the relative adaptability of populations determine their persistence under future climate change. We used genetics to investigate population structure and landscape genetics for Arctic grayling. Adult and young-of-the-year fish were captured at sampling locations and coordinates and/or specific station locations were noted. Fin clip samples (adults) or whole fish (young-of-the-year) were collected and preserved in 95% ethanol until Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products from neutral genomic microsatellite loci were scored and used to assess population genetic structure and other population parameters. Adult capture and movement data, including length, weight and Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag information, can be found in a separate data package.