Who Should Attend:  Personnel who are responsible for integrating genetic information with management programs.  Participants should have a solid understanding of genetic principles or have taken the NCTC course "Fish Genetics" (FIS1220). 

Length: 5 days/36 hours

Objectives: By the end of this session, the participant will be able to:

• Explain important concepts such as population genetics, molecular systematics and evolutionary theory;
• Introduce an array of contemporary molecular genetic analytical techniques, including the role of each in delineating systematics, phylogeography, population structure, and kinship/parentage.   Appropriate data analysis procedures and interpretation will be explained using examples from recent applications;
• Describe the application of genetic information to identify appropriate units of management;
• Compare and contrast the various definitions proposed for defining distinct population segments (DPS), including evolutionarily significant units (ESU);
• Discuss current controversies within the genetic discipline, including the conflict between population genetics and molecular systematics regarding the identification of distinct population segments; and
• Discuss the limitations of genetic analyses relative to various management issues.