Open AccessEndangered Cultus Lake sockeye salmon exhibit genomic evidence of hypoxic and thermal stresses while rearing in degrading freshwater lacustrine critical habitat
Author(s) -
Arash Akbarzadeh,
Daniel T. Selbie,
L. B. Pon,
Kristina M. Miller
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
conservation physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.942
H-Index - 37
ISSN - 2051-1434
DOI - 10.1093/conphys/coab089
Subject(s) - eutrophication , hypolimnion , biology , profundal zone , diel vertical migration , hypoxia (environmental) , fish migration , habitat , ecology , fish kill , fishery , crucian carp , water column , algal bloom , fish <actinopterygii> , littoral zone , phytoplankton , chemistry , organic chemistry , nutrient , oxygen
Using a transcriptomic tool (Salmon Fit-Chip), we provided powerful new evidence that Cultus Lake sockeye salmon juveniles experience thermal and hypoxic stress during the period of low-oxygen water in profundal lake habitats and elevated temperatures above the thermocline in summer and fall when the lake is thermally stratified. The cumulative or synergistic interplay between stressors and diseases, clearly documented to be occurring within Cultus Lake, are contributing to increased mortality of endangered sockeye salmon. Eutrophication and hypolimnetic dissolved oxygen depletion, which is exacerbated by climate change, will increase the risk of extirpation for sockeye salmon in Cultus Lake.