RGSM Genetics Monitoring & Assessment

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Monitoring and evaluation of the genetics of the endangered Rio Grande Silvery Minnow (RGSM) has been ongoing since 1999. The current monitoring program includes estimation of population genetic diversity metrics, based on multiple microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA markers, including gene diversity, heterozygosity, allelic richness, and genetic effective size of RGSM within and among in situ (augmented wild population) and ex situ (broodstock and production at multiple facilities) populations. The ongoing RGSM genetic monitoring program is a requirement for Reclamation in the 2016 Final Biological and Conference Opinion for Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Non-Federal Water Management and Maintenance Activities on the Middle Rio Grande, New Mexico. Reclamation is implementing several mandatory requirements of this Biological Opinion, including Term and Condition 5.2, which states: “Reclamation shall continue to fund and implement regular and routine monitoring of appropriate metrics of the genetic diversity and integrity of captive broodstock and silvery minnows in the wild.” Annual genetic monitoring is critical to ensure that genetic changes are detected quickly, to facilitate adjustments to the captive propagation program in several facilities that prevent further losses of diversity and divergence of captive and wild stocks. This includes analysis of broodstock genetics, which is responsive to the recommendations of the Peer Review Panel that examined the RGSM genetic monitoring program in 2016.

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