Environmental Health

How does environmental change modify biological risk and resilience?

Freshwater ecosystems cover approximately 1% of Earth’s surface area, but are inhabited by an extraordinary diversity of animals, including 51% (>18,000) of all fish species. Increasing societal demands for freshwater resources over the past century have dramatically altered freshwater habitats worldwide, but the anthropogenic impacts on freshwater biodiversity are not fully appreciated by the public. Accordingly, a disproportionate number of freshwater species are threatened with extinction. In the United States, freshwater species represent 46% of animals protected by the United States Endangered Species Act, and globally, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers approximately 30% of all freshwater fish species to be threatened with extinction. More than 80 freshwater fish species have been declared extinct. Our research in freshwater biodiversity conservation is intended to slow and reverse these trends, by providing regulatory agencies with data necessary to optimize species recovery plans. We also recognize the invaluable benefits of public outreach, and we regularly interact with the communities within watersheds of the Northern Gulf of Mexico ecoregion.

Gulf Aquatic Biodiversity Inventory

GABI is a project aimed at documenting every freshwater animal within freshwaters of the Gulf of Mexico. When funded, this project will include mitogenome sequencing of each species, which will aid development of noninvasive species monitoring protocols.

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Homogenization of the Temperate Freshwater Biodiversity Hotspot

The Tenn-Tom Waterway represents one of the most extensive anthropogenic landscape alterations in eastern North America. By uniting the Tennessee River and Mobile River Watersheds, the Tenn-Tom Waterway facilitates contact and gene flow among previously isolated populations of hundreds of freshwater animals. LAQE alumnus Patricia (Kiersten) Schellhammer has completed an investigation of gene flow among populations of Bullhead Minnow (Pimephales vigilax), and ongoing research is assessing the potential for gene flow among two cryptic species of Walleye (Sander spp.), both economically important species endemic to the southeastern United States.

Stream Capture in the Mobile River Watershed

Julia Wood completed a thesis that tested the hypothesis of stream capture as an explanation for her discovery of three species in the Mobile River watershed that were traditionally considered endemic to the Tennessee River watershed.

Agency-funded Species Conservation

A majority of LAQEr students are funded to conduct surveys and population genomic analyses of freshwater species of concern. Learn more about these projects below.

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Phylogenomics of Hydrophlox

Zachariah Alley completed his Master of Science thesis on the phylogenetic relationships of Hydrophlox minnows. His results corroroborates monophyly of the genus Hydrophlox, and resolves species boundaries among these beautifully polymorphic minnows.

Conservation of the Southern Walleye (Stizostedion cf. vitreus)

In collaboration with partners at ADCNR, OSUM, and Arkansas State University, the LAQE is resurrecting Stizostedion salmoneus (Rafinesque 1818) and describing the Southern Walleye (Stizostedion cf. vitreum) as a new species.

Conservation of the Gulf Strain Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis)

The LAQE works closely with ADCNR, FLFWC, and MDWFP to conserve the Gulf Strain Striped Bass, which is endemic to the gulf-descendent rivers from Louisiana to peninsular Florida. Data generated from this project guides broodstock selection leading to production of over 1 million fry, annually, supporting a multi-million dollar fishery.

Conservation Genomics of Darters of the Mobile River Watershed

Kayla Fast has led the LAQE investigation of genomic variation among populations of the federally protected Trispot Darter (Etheostoma trisella). In collaboration with partners at the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute and Georgia Department of Natural Resources, we continue to monitor the population status of this species with environmental DNA surveys. This work is funded by an award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Read more about this work here.

Conservation Genomics of Percina

Kenny Jones has completed his thesis research on conservation genomics of the Coal Darter (Percina brevicauda), a small freshwater fish endemic to Alabama. This work was funded by a Section 6 award from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Conservation Genomics of the Bridled Darter (Percina kusha)

Mason Strickland has completed an investigation of conservation genomics of the Bridled Darter (Percina kusha) and the Etowah Bridled Darter (Percina freemanorum) in Georgia. This work was funded by an award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in collaboration with the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute.

Snubnose Darters of the Mobile River Watershed

Caroline Teal has completed her thesis research on the population genomic diversity within the Tombigbee Darter, Etheostoma lachneri. Caroline has uncovered two new species within the complex, which are restricted to the watersheds of the lower Black Warrior River and upper Tombigbee River. Ongoing studies in collaboration with staff at the University of Alabama will mirror Caroline's work in the Alabama River, assessing spatial variation in Etheostoma ramseyi.

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