Individual variation in dispersal behaviour of newly emerged chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) from the Upper Fraser River, British Columbia

1997 ◽  
Vol 54 (7) ◽  
pp. 1585-1592 ◽  
Author(s):  
M J Bradford ◽  
G C Taylor
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Chinook Salmon ◽  
Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha ◽  
Population Variation ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Movement Behaviour ◽  
Spawning Areas ◽  
Dispersal Distances ◽  
Stream Type ◽  
Downstream Movement

Immediately after emergence from spawning gravels, fry of stream-type chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) populations from tributaries of the upper Fraser River, British Columbia, distribute themselves downstream from the spawning areas, throughout the natal stream, and into the Fraser River. We tested the hypothesis that this range in dispersal distances is caused by innate differences in nocturnal migratory tendency among individuals. Using an experimental stream channel, we found repeatable differences in downstream movement behaviour among newly emerged chinook fry. Fish that moved downstream were larger than those that held position in the channel. However, the incidence of downstream movement behaviours decreased over the first 2 weeks after emergence. We propose that the variation among individuals in downstream movement behaviour we observed leads to the dispersal of newly emerged fry throughout all available rearing habitats. Thus, between- and within-population variation in the freshwater life history observed in these populations may be caused by small differences in the behaviour of individuals.

Extensive use of the Fraser River basin as winter habitat by juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 1759-1767 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. D. Levings ◽  
R. B. Lauzier
Keyword(s):  
Chinook Salmon ◽  
Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha ◽  
Water Channel ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Mean Size ◽  
System Data ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Juvenile Chinook ◽  
Stream Type

Habitat in the low-water channel of the mainstem Fraser River and larger tributaries during winter may be an unappreciated factor influencing production of stream-type chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in this system. Data from electrofishing surveys showed that shorelines were used by juvenile chinook from river km 110 to km 770. Almost the entire mainstem was therefore probably winter habitat, and major tributaries such as the Thompson, Quesnel, and Nechako rivers were also used. Estimated chinook density on the mainstem Fraser increased with distance upstream (maximum 0.30 m−2 at km 750 (Prince George)), but the highest density (0.99 m−2) in the surveys was observed on the Thompson River at Spences Bridge. The mean size of juvenile chinook decreased with distance upstream on the Fraser, ranging from 97 mm at km 110 to 65 mm at km 770. Chinook juveniles were feeding on Diptera, Trichoptera, and Plecoptera in winter. Some apparent growth was observed in the lower Fraser in early winter.

Comment on “Gene flow increases temporal stability of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) populations in the Upper Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada”Appears in Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 66: 167–176.

2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 202-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry D. Beacham ◽  
Ruth E. Withler
Keyword(s):  
Chinook Salmon ◽  
Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha ◽  
Pacific Salmon ◽  
Temporal Stability ◽  
Time Span ◽  
Population Variation ◽  
Stock Identification ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Mixed Stock ◽  
Conservation And Management

Temporally stable genetic structure among salmonid populations has been reported in many studies, although the time span evaluated in most studies is limited to 10 years or less. This result has important implications in conservation and management of Pacific salmon ( Oncorhynchus spp.) and ramifications for the construction and application of genetic databases for stock identification of fish sampled from mixed-stock fisheries. Walter et al. (2009. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 66: 167–176) failed to consider recent studies providing evidence that their conclusion “the overall magnitude of temporal within-population variation exceeding that of among-population variation” for the populations under study may be invalid for Fraser River Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) populations. Their estimation of rates and patterns of migration among Chinook salmon populations also provided results that are difficult to reconcile with published information. Evaluation of the experimental designed employed by Walter et al. (2009) indicates that their sample sizes were too small to estimate reliably genetic variation among or within populations. Extrapolation of their conclusions relating temporal instability of population structure to other Chinook salmon populations or indeed other salmonid species is unwarranted.

Current Response and Agonistic Behavior in Newly Emerged Fry of Chinook Salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, from Ocean- and Stream- Type Populations

1986 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 565-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric B. Taylor ◽  
P. A. Larkin
Keyword(s):  
Chinook Salmon ◽  
Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha ◽  
Coho Salmon ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Mirror Image ◽  
Current Response ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Life History Pattern ◽  
Stream Type

In Slim Creek, a tributary to the upper Fraser River east of Prince George, B.C., chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) fry summer and overwinter in their natal stream before migrating seaward as yearlings; they are "stream-type" in juvenile life history pattern. From the Harrison River, a tributary to the lower Fraser River, chinook fry migrate to the Fraser River estuary sometime during their first spring or early summer; they are "ocean-type." Newly emerged chinook fry from Slim Creek showed a stronger positive current response, were more aggressive in mirror image stimulation tests and intra- and inter-specific (with coho salmon (O. kisutch) fry) stream tank tests, and had larger and more brightly colored median fins than chinook fry from the Harrison River. These differences between Slim Creek and Harrison River chinook fry are in a direction consistent with their different patterns of length of freshwater residence as juveniles, since aggressive behavior, positive rheotaxis, and bright fin coloration are important components of extended stream residence in salmonids.

Ceratomyxa shasta Noble, 1950 (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) present in the Fraser River system of British Columbia

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (9) ◽  
pp. 1991-1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. E. McDonald
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Chinook Salmon ◽  
Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha ◽  
Drainage Basin ◽  
Coho Salmon ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
River System ◽  
Salmo Gairdneri ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Steelhead Trout

An examination of 220 chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), 84 coho salmon (O. kisutch), 145 steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri), and 21 cutthroat trout (S. clarki) for Ceratomyxa shasta (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) from 16 localities in the Fraser River drainage, British Columbia, showed that at all sites examined these salmonid species were infected, with a prevalence ranging between 11 and 100%. The study concludes that C. shasta, the causative agent of the salmonid disease ceratomyxosis, is widely distributed in the Fraser drainage basin and discusses these results in relation to proposed fish culture in the region.

Adaptive Variation in Rheotactic and Agonistic Behavior in Newly Emerged Fry of Chinook Salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, from Ocean- and Stream-Type Populations

1988 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric B. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Chinook Salmon ◽  
Agonistic Behavior ◽  
Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha ◽  
Genetic Difference ◽  
Current Response ◽  
Body Morphology ◽  
Local Adaptations ◽  
Stream Type ◽  
Downstream Movement

Agonistic and rheotactic behavior and body morphology were compared in recently emerged, laboratory-reared chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) from two "stream-type" and two "ocean-type" populations. Newly emerged chinook fry from the stream-type populations (Slim Creek and the Eagle River) were more aggressive than fry from the ocean-type populations (the Nanaimo and Harrison rivers). Slim Creek fry were consistently the most aggressive. There was no clear distinction in rheotactic behavior between stream- and ocean-type chinook; Harrison River, ocean-type chinook fry had the strongest downstream movement in "dark" current response tests, but fry from the other three populations had similar movement scores in both light and dark tests. Fry from the four populations were morphologically distinct; however, there was no clear separation in body morphology or coloration based on life history type. These differences exhibited in laboratory-reared fry indicate that they are, at least in part, inherited. I conclude that a fundamental genetic difference in agonistic behavior exists between stream- and ocean-type chinook juveniles. A genetic dichotomy between stream- and ocean-type chinook in rheotactic behavior and morphology, however, may be overidden by population-specific local adaptations, independent of life history type.

Assessment of the Impact of the Myxosporean Parasite Ceratomyxa shasta on Survival of Seaward Migrating Juvenile Chinook Salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, from the Fraser River, British Columbia

1992 ◽  
Vol 49 (9) ◽  
pp. 1883-1889 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Margolis ◽  
T. E. McDonald ◽  
D. J. Whitaker
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Chinook Salmon ◽  
Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha ◽  
Infected Fish ◽  
Migration Route ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Juvenile Chinook Salmon ◽  
Myxosporean Parasite ◽  
Juvenile Chinook ◽  
The Impact

Approximately 3.3% of more than 3500 seaward migrating juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) collected from the lower reaches and off the mouth of the Fraser River, British Columbia, between March and August 1985–87 were infected with Ceratomyxa shasta (Protozoa: Myxosporea). The fish were held live for up to 151 d before examination to allow the infections to become patent. The first infected fish were detected in samples taken in late May to early June, approximately 4 wk after the river water temperature had reached 10 °C. By this time, 40–65% of the fish had been collected, indicating that the majority of the juvenile chinook salmon had left the Fraser River before the infective stage of the parasite was present. Significant differences in prevalence of C. shasta were associated with both the migration route chosen by the fish and their age. Fish that used the lower flow rate North Arm had a greater prevalence (6.8%) of infection than those that migrated down the Main Arm (2.1%). Age 0 fish had a significantly higher prevalence (5.2%) of C. shasta than the age 1 group (1.5%). It is concluded that C. shasta is not a major cause of mortality of downstream migrating juvenile Fraser River chinook salmon.

Trends in the Abundance of Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) of the Nechako River, British Columbia

1994 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 965-973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Bradford
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Life History ◽  
Chinook Salmon ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Water Abstraction ◽  
Lower Survival ◽  
Spring Freshet ◽  
Poor Recruitment

Trends in abundance of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) of the Nechako River, a tributary of the Fraser River, were analyzed to quantify the ecological effects of water abstraction for electricity generation. In years when the majority of returning chinook adults used the upper Nechako River for spawning, the survival of offspring for the entire river was poorer than in years when spawning was concentrated in the lower reaches. Relative to the historical discharge, the upper Nechako River has experienced the greatest degree of water abstraction, and the lower survival of chinook broods originating from the upper river may be due to early emergence of fry caused by elevated fall and winter water temperatures or to higher rates of predation on juveniles and loss of rearing habitat caused by the elimination of the spring freshet. Poor recruitment resulting from broods spawning predominately in the upper river has caused the trend in the abundance of Nechako River chinook to diverge from the trend of chinook populations of similar life history from unregulated tributaries of the Fraser River. Additional reductions in flow may further affect the capacity of the upper Nechako River to produce chinook salmon.

Gene flow increases temporal stability of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) populations in the Upper Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada

2009 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan P. Walter ◽  
Tutku Aykanat ◽  
David W. Kelly ◽  
J. Mark Shrimpton ◽  
Daniel D. Heath
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Chinook Salmon ◽  
Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha ◽  
Temporal Stability ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Population Sizes ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Management And Conservation

Temporal instability in population genetic structure has significant implications for management and conservation decisions. Here, we evaluate temporal stability in five populations of Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) from the Upper Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada, based on estimates of temporal allelic variance and effective population size (Ne) at 11 microsatellite loci. Significant temporal variation in allele frequencies was found within individual populations sampled at 5- to 12-year intervals. Removal of migrant fish or correcting for migrants resulted in higher allelic variance or reduced Ne. Populations with higher levels of temporally consistent gene flow show reduced temporal allelic variance (i.e., reduced genetic drift) and higher Ne. This study is an important empirical example of the effect of gene flow on genetic stability and Ne. In salmonids, low straying levels may have evolved to favor local adaptation; however, we show that even such low levels of gene flow can elevate effective population sizes and preserve genetic variability. This study highlights the importance of considering gene flow acting to temporally stabilize populations, particularly small ones, and should migration be interrupted, Ne levels may decline with no obvious change in census population sizes.

Analysis of straying variation in Alaskan hatchery chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) following transplantation

1999 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 578-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey J Hard ◽  
William R Heard
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Chinook Salmon ◽  
Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha ◽  
Release Site ◽  
Substantial Variation

In 1976 chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) gametes from the Chickamin and Unuk rivers in southeastern Alaska were transplanted 250 km to establish hatchery runs at Little Port Walter (LPW), Baranof Island. From 1977 to 1989, 1 862 058 marked smolts from 12 broods were released from LPW. Homing and straying were estimated from adult recoveries at 25 locations in Alaska and British Columbia between 1981 and 1989. Of 22 198 LPW fish recovered over this period, 21 934 (98.8%) were collected at LPW. Of 264 fish recovered elsewhere, 38.3% were within 7 km of LPW; 64.4% were within 25 km of LPW. No LPW fish were recovered from the ancestral rivers, but nine fish were recovered from rivers supporting wild chinook salmon. Straying declined with distance from the release site but varied between hatcheries and streams. Straying declined with increasing age and run size. Straying was similar between the populations but varied among broods, and analysis of straying in experimental groups provided evidence for a heritable component. Males strayed more often than females. Population, gender, run size, and recovery age interacted to produce substantial variation in straying, indicating that run composition can produce complex straying responses.

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