Matthew R. Hall, Appalachian Laboratory, University of
Maryland Center for Environmental Studies, Frostburg, Maryland 21532; Voice 301-689-3115 x
419; FAX 301-689-8518; E-Mail hall@al.umces.edu
Keywords: brook trout, population genetics, mitochondrial DNA,
phylogeny
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction fragment length polymorphisms
(RFLP's) from brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis collected from 12 stream units in 5
drainages were analyzed to test hypotheses concerning the population genetic structure and
divergence of this species. Previous research over the entire range of brook trout
indicates a high degree of divergence. These studies have concentrated on samples from the
northern (Canadian) and southern (Smoky Mountains) regions of this range while the regions
in between, including Maryland, are represented proportionately less in the data. The data
from this analysis was compared with previous data to determine clade structure and to
speculate on the most likely refugial origin of Maryland brook trout. The data were also
used to assess divergence between drainages and stream units. A hypothesis designed to
test a possible stream capture event in western Maryland was also investigated using mtDNA
RFLP haplotype data from this region.