Phylogenetic Relationships of Cottus beldingi in the Basin and Range and Colorado Plateau of Western North America

Cottus beldingi (Paiute sculpin) is found in scattered populations across the Western United States. Their distribution should be related to ancient river connections. To investigate these relationships, C. beldingi were collected from 14 locations in Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, and Wyoming. Three regions of mitochondrial DNA were sequenced including a 363 bp segment of ND4-L/ND4 gene, the cyt b gene, and the d-loop. Phylogenies were constructed using Maximum Parsimony (PAUP), Maximum Likelihood (PAML), and Bayesian analysis (MrBayes). Preliminary analyses of the ND4 gene show Lahonta Basin (Nevada) C. beldingi have the most basal relationship in phylogenies based on Maximum Parsimony and Maximum Likelihood. C. beldingi in the Lost River system of Idaho, Eagle River of Colorado, and the Provo and Weber Rivers of the Bonneville Basin form a clade. Populations from the Upper Snake River of Idaho and Wyoming, and the Logan River drainage form a separate clade. The latter clade may reflect the capture of the Bear River and subsequent Bonneville flood 18,000 to 30,000 years ago. The former clade is likely a result of older drainage connections.