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Population genetic structure of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in the River Tamar, southwest England
Author(s) -
ELLIS J. S.,
SUMNER K. J.,
GRIFFITHS A. M.,
BRIGHT D. I.,
STEVENS J. R.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
fisheries management and ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1365-2400
pISSN - 0969-997X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2400.2010.00776.x
Subject(s) - salmo , isolation by distance , population , genetic diversity , genetic structure , drainage basin , biology , ecology , analysis of molecular variance , geography , species richness , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , demography , cartography , sociology
Population genetic studies can be useful for informing conservation and management. In Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., population structuring frequently occurs between river systems, but contrasting patterns occur within rivers, highlighting the need for catchment‐specific studies to inform management. Here, population structure of Atlantic salmon was examined in the River Tamar, United Kingdom, using 12 microsatellite loci. Gene diversity and allelic richness ranged from 0.80 to 0.84 and from 8.96 to 10.24, respectively. Some evidence of genetic structure was found, including significant genetic differentiation between samples in different subcatchments (pairwise θ and tests of genic differentiation), results from assignment tests and a pattern of isolation by distance. Conversely, structure revealed only one population cluster, and an analysis of molecular variance showed no significant variation between subcatchments. Evidence of population bottlenecks depended on the mutation model assumed and is discussed with reference to catchment‐specific studies of stock abundance. Implications for implementing management actions are considered.