“Riverscape” genetics: river characteristics influence the genetic structure and diversity of anadromous and freshwater Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations in northwest Russia

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 1947-1958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikhail Yu. Ozerov ◽  
Alexey E. Veselov ◽  
Jaakko Lumme ◽  
Craig R. Primmer

Combining population genetic and landscape ecology approaches provides an understanding of how environmental factors affect individual dispersal, population size, and structure. We first generated a set of predictions of the expected effect of “riverscape” characteristics on salmonid genetic diversity and divergence, based on the results of earlier research on this topic in salmonid fishes. We then tested these predictions in a data set consisting of the microsatellite data and riverscape characteristics of 39 Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) populations from northwest Russia. The carrying capacity of the river was an important factor shaping the genetic diversity and differentiation of Atlantic salmon populations in the region: salmon in rivers with a larger carrying capacity tended to have higher genetic diversity and lower genetic differentiation. The importance of other riverscape characteristics often varied between anadromous and freshwater populations. Taken together, these associations demonstrate a high and complex level of river landscape influence on the genetic diversity and structure of Atlantic salmon populations and highlight the importance of spawning and nursery area maintenance for the conservation of salmonids.

1985 ◽  
Vol 42 (9) ◽  
pp. 1513-1521 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. A. Martin ◽  
K. A. Mitchell

The possible influence of sea temperature upon the age of return of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) was examined using the catch and weight data of grilse and multi-sea-winter (MSW) salmon of the Aberdeen Harbour Board caught either within or adjacent to the River Dee (Aberdeenshire). This data set, apart from a 10-yr period of commercial confidentiality, is very suitable because uniformity of effort allowed catch per unit effort to be calculated. Only in the last few years was external pressure (high seas fishing) applied to the system. Various temperature series were examined but the known loci of high seas fishing and the temperature ranges involved suggested that the most relevant series is from the subarctic. Increase in temperature is shown to be associated with larger numbers of fish returning as MSW salmon and fewer as grilse. The average weight of grilse increases with grilse catch numbers. Regression equations for grilse and MSW salmon catch numbers are produced for the period 1877–1972. There is a marked 4-yr periodicity in the grilse catch data. A hypothesis is proposed that the temperature of the subarctic influences the migratory pattern, that fish travel further north into the Arctic/subarctic only during those years when the minimum temperature remains above 2 °C.


2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 695-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Luc Baglinière ◽  
Frédéric Marchand ◽  
Vincent Vauclin

Abstract Since 1985, the dynamics of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) population in the River Oir, a spawning tributary of the River Sélune (Lower Normandy, France), have been studied from a data set of parr density and the number and the age structure of migrating fish (smolts and adults). Parr densities (1.5–17.4 per 100 m2) and smolt production (0.25–9.2 per 100 m2) varied considerably from year to year. Migrating juveniles were mainly 1 year old. Abundance of parr and smolts was strongly correlated with 0+ densities. Egg-to-smolt survival rates were highly variable year on year (0.044–1.07%). During the juvenile freshwater phase, mortality was highest between the egg and the 0+ stage (97.5–99.9%). The fluctuations in abundance of juvenile salmon appear to be linked to the number and distribution of spawners within the stream during spawning, and also to the amount of silt deposition on the spawning beds. As a result, mortality was highest during the under-gravel phase, and the mean survival rate from egg to smolt was much lower than in rivers less impacted by human activities. Therefore, during the study period, the low production of smolts during some years might lead to a low renewal rate of the salmon population.


2005 ◽  
Vol 74 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 323-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
America G. Valiente ◽  
Francis Juanes ◽  
Eva Garcia-Vazquez

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