Reduced Genetic Variability in First-Generation Hatchery Populations of Atlantic Salmon ( Salmo salar )

Levels of genetic variation were measured in first-generation Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) cultured for stock enhancement programs in eastern Canada and compared with variation in wild stocks. One regulatory and 19 structural protein loci were screened of which 10 were polymorphic. Mean heterozygos...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Main Author: Verspoor, Eric
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1988
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f88-199
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f88-199
Description
Summary:Levels of genetic variation were measured in first-generation Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) cultured for stock enhancement programs in eastern Canada and compared with variation in wild stocks. One regulatory and 19 structural protein loci were screened of which 10 were polymorphic. Mean heterozygosity and number of alleles per locus were positively correlated with the effective number of adults (N) used to establish the hatchery groups and averaged 26 and 12% lower, respectively, than wild stocks. The observations are consistent with a loss of genetic variability in the hatchery salmon from random drift caused by using small numbers of salmon for broodstock.