Integrity and Trajectory of Recovering Salmonid Populations in Western Scotland
Supervisors
Prof Kathryn Elmer, Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, Unversity of Glasgow
Prof Martin Llewellyn, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow
Prof Paulo Prodohl, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast
CASE PARTNER - Clyde River Foundation
Summary
Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) have experienced major population declines across the UK as a result of pollution, habitat degradation, overexploitation and other environmental pressures. The River Clyde provides a remarkable example of recovery, with Atlantic salmon recolonising the catchment following historical extirpation. This PhD will use population genomics to investigate the genetic diversity, integrity and recovery trajectories of salmonid populations in western Scotland, with particular focus on the Clyde.
The project will examine the origins of recolonising Atlantic salmon, assess population connectivity and genomic diversity, investigate evidence of introgression from non-local or farmed salmon, and identify genomic variation associated with local adaptation and resilience.
Comparative analyses of brown trout will help determine which patterns are shared across recovering salmonid populations.The student will receive interdisciplinary training in freshwater field biology, fish sampling and electrofishing, molecular genetics, genomic data generation, population genomics, bioinformatics and statistical analysis. They will also develop skills in scientific writing, data visualisation, communication and stakeholder engagement. Working across the University of Glasgow, Queen’s University Belfast and the Clyde River Foundation will provide experience spanning fundamental evolutionary research, applied fisheries science and conservation management.