Data from: Long-term genetic outcomes of a mixed-source introduction of westslope cutthroat trout
Data files
Jun 01, 2026 version files 1.59 MB
-
bell_etal_cherry_wct_data.csv
1.59 MB
-
README.md
2.15 KB
Abstract
Introductions are an increasingly important conservation tool, but few long-term studies have examined how source population selection influences outcomes. We examined the long-term (approximately 4 generations) genetic outcomes of a large-scale, mixed-source introduction of westslope cutthroat trout in Cherry Creek, Montana. We tested whether source population contribution deviated from neutral expectations (a proxy for fitness) and whether this correlated with source population characteristics. The two donor stocks with the lowest genetic variation had reduced contributions to the final population, whereas those with the highest genetic variation exceeded neutral expectations by 145-193%. Source contribution was strongly associated with genetic variation (R² = 0.6). Nearly every fish in the final study year had mixed ancestry, and mean observed heterozygosity reached its highest recorded level, surpassing any one source. Our results suggest that using multiple sources and sources with higher variation may improve the outcomes of conservation introductions across multiple generations of fitness.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.4qrfj6qrc
Description of the data and file structure
A collection of tissue samples was undertaken in Cherry Creek, Montana, to assess the outcomes of a large-scale introduction of westslope cutthroat trout. Data contains information about unique fish captured during this effect, including both their genotypes of a GTseq panel, and information on sampling date, location, and fish length.
Files and variables
File: bell_etal_cherry_wct_data.csv
Description: Sampling information, STRUCTURE analysis output, and genotypes for fish sampled as part of the assessment of the Cherry Creek, Montana (USA) westslope cutthroat trout introduction effort. Each row represents a single sampling event for an individual fish.
Variables
- length: Individual fish total length (mm) at the time of sampling.
- ind_id: Unique individual identification code.
- sample_id: Unique sample identification code for each sampling event.
- year: Calendar year of sampling.
- section: Section of Cherry Creek where the fish was collected, with "UpperCherry" indicating fish sampled within Upper Cherry Creek above a natural waterfall barrier, and "CherryLake" indicating fish sampled in Cherry Lake Creek above a separate natural waterfall barrier.
- p_musk: Proportion of ancestry (STRUCTURE membership coefficient Q) assigned to the Muskrat Creek source population.
- p_ray: Proportion of ancestry (STRUCTURE membership coefficient Q) assigned to the Rays Creek source population.
- p_washoe: Proportion of ancestry (STRUCTURE membership coefficient Q) assigned to the Washoe Hatchery source population.
- p_whites: Proportion of ancestry (STRUCTURE membership coefficient Q) assigned to the Whites Creek source population.
- Ocl_*: All columns beginning with
Ocl_represent individual loci from the GTseq SNP panel used for genotyping. Genotypes are coded as allele values (1 or 2) for each locus, withNA anindicating missing genotype data.