Project Information

Title: A Genetic Study to Aid in Restoration of Murres, Guillemots, and Murrelets in the GOA 99169

Project Year and Number: 1999: 99169

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 2000: 00169-CLO, 1998: 98169, 1997: 97169

Principal Investigator (PI): Vicki Friesen (Queen's University)

Managing Agency: USGS

Assisting Personnel: John Piatt

Research Location: Gulf of Alaska

Restoration Category: Research

Injured Resources Addressed: Common Murres, Kittlitz's Murrelets, Marbled Murrelets, Pigeon Guillemot

Abstract: Populations of common murres, pigeon guillemots, and marbled and Kittlitz's murrelets suffered high mortalities following the spill. This project will continue the analyses of mitochondrial DNA, microsatellites, and introns to measure genetic differentiation and gene flow among colonies of these species. This project will aid restoration by (1) determining the geographic limits of populations affected by the spill, (2) identifying sources and sinks, and (3) identifying appropriate reference or 'control' sites for monitoring. As incidental results, it will also reveal cryptic species and subspecies, indicate the importance of inbreeding and small effective population sizes in restricting recovery, and suggest suitable source colonies for translocations.


Proposal: Not Available

Reports:
Annual Report FY99: View (2,086 KB)
Final Report: Final Report Not available. For current status, please contact us.

Publications from this Project: None Available