Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve

02 Jun, 11 AM - 04 Jun, 11 AM

I have developed numerous anonymous nuclear loci for Bottae's pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae). Variation in these markers has been assessed across a panel of individuals from all of the previously-identified genetic groups. There is potential, therefore, to apply population genetic approaches to multiple questions throughout this species' range. Previous work with rodents has implicated altitudinal selection pressure as a source of local population variation. At the close of two current population studies on this species in other parts of the state, I hope to investigate several scenarios in which gophers are known to vary morphologically along altitudinal gradients. Neutral genetic variation, assessed with these novel markers, will be compared to variation at candidate genes related to adaptations to elevational changes. Gophers in the vicinity of Big Creek have not been well studied, but are known to occur. The steep elevational changes in the reserve might prove a useful transect to include in the proposed study.

Visit #10196 @Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 6851 | Research

Exploration of suitable study sites: Adaptation to altitudinal gradients in pocket gophers

research_scientist - University of California, Berkeley

Reservation Members(s)

Group of 2 Research Scientist/Post Doc Jun 2 - 4, 2006 (3 days)

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Whale Point Researcher Cabin 2 Jun 2 - 4, 2006