Neosho Madtom ddRAD

This study aimed to identify boundaries, connectivity, viability, and adaptation of Neosho Madtom populations via genetic characteristics surveyed across the Neosho River system.ObjectivesWe addressed six objectives to inform conservation planning:1. We conducted comprehensive spatial sampling by collecting Neosho Madtom tissues (N=192) from localities (N=14) throughout the Neosho River system (Neosho, Cotttonwood, and Spring rivers).2. We quantified genetic diversity within and among populations by genotyping thousands of genetic markers (loci; N=2,725) for each sample.3. We determined distinct genetic population boundaries, quantified population connectivity (gene flow), and delineated potential management units by determining spatial genetic structure.4. We identified environmental features that affect Neosho Madtom dispersal by correlating spatial genetic divergence with riverscape characteristics between sampling locations.5. We determined demographic status, population viability, and trends by deriving standard population genetic parameters (e.g., effective population size, Ne).6. We tested for local adaptation by identifying loci under selection along environmental gradients and provided validation of these candidate markers by elucidating the biological processes with which they are associated.

本研究旨在通过对尼奥肖河流域（Neosho River system）开展遗传特征调查，明确尼奥肖钝头鲶（Neosho Madtom）种群的分布边界、连通性、生存能力与适应性。
本研究设定六项目标以支撑保护规划工作：
1. 开展系统性空间采样：于覆盖尼奥肖河、科顿伍德河与斯普林河的尼奥肖河流域内的14个采样位点，采集共计192份尼奥肖钝头鲶组织样本。
2. 为每份样本进行数千个遗传标记（位点，共计2725个）的基因分型，以此量化种群内部及种群间的遗传多样性。
3. 通过解析空间遗传结构，确定独特的遗传种群边界，量化种群连通性（基因流），并划定潜在的管理单元。
4. 将空间遗传分化与采样位点间的河流景观特征进行关联分析，以此识别影响尼奥肖钝头鲶扩散的环境因子。
5. 通过推导标准种群遗传参数（如有效种群大小Ne），确定种群的人口统计状态、生存能力及变化趋势。
6. 通过识别沿环境梯度受选择作用的位点，检测本地适应性，并通过阐明这些候选标记所关联的生物学过程，对其有效性进行验证。