Biology ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-28-2026

Abstract

River fragmentation poses major threats to freshwater biodiversity by reducing connectivity and limiting persistence of imperiled desert fishes. Connectivity in streams is impaired by anthropogenic changes, including road crossings, prompting the installation of engineered fish passage structures at low-water road crossings and raising questions about the dispersal of aquatic species across these structures. This thesis investigates the movement of the threatened Loach Minnow (Tiaroga cobitis) by applying a close-kin mark-recapture (CKMR) framework in a restored stream (including a fish passage) and a stream without rehabilitation efforts. We developed and optimized a GT-seq panel for relatedness analysis and used it to identify parent-offspring pairs (POPs) and full-sibling pairs (FSPs) within both rivers. Spatial analysis of close kin pairs revealed that Loach Minnow dispersed in both directions across road crossings in both rivers, including an engineered fish passage structure in Tularosa, with most movement occurring over short distances (0.5 river km). These findings improve our understanding of dispersal in Loach Minnow and demonstrate the utility of CKMR as a non-invasive approach for understanding movement ecology, evaluating river connectivity, assessing restoration, and informing management.

Project Sponsors

Thomas F. Turner

Language

English

Keywords

Close-kin Mark-recapture, Loach Minnow (Tiaroga cobitis), Desert Fishes, River Fragmentation, Conservation Genetics, Fish Dispersal

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Biology

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

UNM Biology Department

First Committee Member (Chair)

Thomas F. Turner

Second Committee Member

Megan J. Osborne

Third Committee Member

Lisa N. Barrow

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