Coupling genetic and otolith trace element analyses to identify river-born fish with hatchery pedigrees in stocked Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar) populations

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• Main Authors: Perrier, Charles, Daverat, Françoise, Evanno, Guillaume, Pécheyran, Christophe, Bagliniere, Jean-Luc, Roussel, Jean-Marc
• Other Authors: Campana, Steven
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 2011
• Subjects: Atlantic salmon; Salmo salar
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f2011-040; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/full-xml/10.1139/f2011-040; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f2011-040

This study combines otolith trace element and genetic analyses to explore the origin of individuals when hatchery-reared fish are released into wild populations. We sampled 90 juvenile Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) in four rivers in Normandy (France) and in the hatchery stock. Individuals were analyzed at six microsatellite markers and their otolith elemental concentrations (14 elements) were measured using femto-second laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Wild populations were genetically differentiated from the hatchery strain (F ST ≈ 0.06). Significant differences in elemental concentrations were found among otoliths of juveniles from the four rivers and the hatchery, allowing the identification of their geographic origin (83%–100% correct assignment). Coupling genetic and trace element analyses on the same individuals provided formal evidence that hatchery-born juveniles released into the wild can migrate to the sea and return as adults to breed on natural spawning grounds. Their progeny have pure hatchery pedigrees but have otoliths typical of river-born juveniles, meaning that they can be mistaken for hatchery-raised juveniles if only genetic data are considered. The presence of hybrids also confirmed that individuals with hatchery pedigrees can breed with wild conspecifics.