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Multiple paternity and variance in male fertilization success within Atlantic salmon Salmo salar redds in a naturally spawning population
Author(s) -
Weir L. K.,
Breau C.,
Hutchings J. A.,
Cunjak R. A.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02690.x
Subject(s) - salmo , biology , fish migration , mating , population , zoology , ecology , sex ratio , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , demography , sociology
The incidence and magnitude of multiple paternity were estimated for a natural, unmanipulated spawning population of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar . Egg nests were surveyed in the autumn and sub‐samples were excavated the following spring. Parentage data derived from microsatellite DNA revealed an unexpectedly high level of multiple paternity. Within a single redd, females may mate with as many as 16 different males, including small mature male parr and large anadromous males. Multiple paternity was most pronounced in areas of highest redd density, corresponding with increased abundances of mature male parr. In addition, there was considerable variation in success among males, although this variability did not depend upon the number of males participating in spawning. This work underscores the value of undertaking genetic studies on the mating systems of fishes in unmanipulated, natural environments.