Premium
Multiple paternity increases effective size of southern Atlantic salmon populations
Author(s) -
Martinez J. L.,
Moran P.,
Perez J.,
De Gaudemar B.,
Beall E.,
GarciaVazquez E.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
molecular ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.619
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1365-294X
pISSN - 0962-1083
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-294x.2000.00857.x
Subject(s) - salmo , biology , minisatellite , microsatellite , bay , endangered species , ecology , fishery , zoology , fish <actinopterygii> , genetics , allele , geography , habitat , gene , archaeology
Genetic analyses were performed on the progeny of Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar L.) sampled in natural redds of three rivers flowing into the Bay of Biscay, the Nivelle, the Mandeo and the Sella. These rivers are at the southern limit of the European distribution of the species and their populations are small and endangered by human activities. Nine variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) loci (five minisatellites and four microsatellites) were used for parentage analysis. Multiple male participation was recognized in the fertilization of eggs. A large proportion was fertilized by precociously mature parr. We demonstrate that multiple paternity derived from mature parr is crucial for the conservation of genetic variability in small populations of Atlantic salmon.