Premium
Lifelong and carry‐over effects of early captive exposure in a recovery program for Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar )
Author(s) -
Clarke C. N.,
Fraser D. J.,
Purchase C. F.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
animal conservation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.111
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1469-1795
pISSN - 1367-9430
DOI - 10.1111/acv.12251
Subject(s) - salmo , biology , captive breeding , domestication , endangered species , captivity , offspring , fishery , zoology , hatchery , life history theory , fish <actinopterygii> , ecology , life history , habitat , pregnancy , genetics
A full life cycle understanding of how different captive rearing strategies affect wild fitness is needed for many species of conservation concern. Over the life cycle of endangered Atlantic salmon, we measured effects on wild fitness resulting from two widely applied conservation captive rearing strategies. One strategy releases juveniles before the onset of feeding (reduced exposure) and the other after 5 months of captive feeding (extended exposure). Fish were released into the wild and monitored 1–3 years later as seaward migrating juveniles. A sample of migrating fish from both rearing strategies was held captive in the ocean until mature, and artificially bred to monitor offspring viability. Extended early captive exposure resulted in smaller size‐at‐stage throughout life, shorter generation time and reduced offspring viability. Altering early captive exposure by 5 months generated long‐term and transgenerational effects on fitness and life history traits that likely accelerate domestication effects and hence provide insight into effective recovery strategy design.