Investigation of white sturgeon population structure in the Transboundary Reach of the Columbia River using polysomic microsatellite markers

<p>This report to the Spokane Tribe of Indians describes a study of changing patterns of population structure of white sturgeon inhabiting the Transboundary Reach of the Upper Columbia River (from Lake Roosevelt to Hugh Keenleyside Dam). No significant patterns of population structure were detected for samples collected before and after impoundment of the Transboundary Reach. Groups defined by site fidelity during non-reproductive times did not correlate to distinct genetic clusters using highly polymorphic nuclear markers. A lack of population structure in the presence of multiple spawning locations in the reach suggests high gene flow between spawning sites and/or inability to detect low levels of genetic differentiation with dominant microsatellite markers.