Range-wide genetic assignment confirms long-distance oceanic migration in Atlantic salmon over half a century

Abstract Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations throughout the North Atlantic have declined in recent decades largely due to reduced marine survival, yet our understanding of marine distribution patterns and migratory routes remains limited. Here, we assigned archived individual samples (n = 3891...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:ICES Journal of Marine Science
Main Authors: Bradbury, I R, Lehnert, S J, Messmer, A, Duffy, S J, Verspoor, E, Kess, T, Gilbey, J, Wennevik, V, Robertson, M, Chaput, G, Sheehan, T, Bentzen, P, Dempson, J B, Reddin, D
Other Authors: W. Stewart, Grant
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Oxford University Press (OUP) 2021
Subjects:
Newfoundland
Faroe Islands
Greenland
Atlantic salmon
Labrador Sea
North Atlantic
Northeast Atlantic
Northwest Atlantic
Salmo salar
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsaa152
http://academic.oup.com/icesjms/article-pdf/78/4/1434/39829430/fsaa152.pdf
Description
Summary:Abstract Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations throughout the North Atlantic have declined in recent decades largely due to reduced marine survival, yet our understanding of marine distribution patterns and migratory routes remains limited. Here, we assigned archived individual samples (n = 3891) collected over a half century (1968–2018) throughout the North Atlantic to region of origin using range-wide genetic assignment. In the Northwest Atlantic, the distribution of assignments reinforced the importance of the Labrador Sea as an aggregation area, with 73% of all reporting groups detected. Moreover, individuals from six European reporting groups were identified in the Northwest Atlantic, and detections decreased with decreasing latitude spanning an area from Greenland to southern Newfoundland. In the Northeast Atlantic, six North American reporting groups were detected in samples from around the Faroe Islands. Based on the distribution of samples, estimates of trans-Atlantic migration distance averaged 3861 and 2889 km for North American and European salmon respectively. Our analysis highlights the widespread importance of the Labrador Sea and Faroe Islands to the species marine distribution patterns, and the prevalence of long-distance trans-Atlantic migration. Ultimately, the results suggest that environmental conditions experienced by many Atlantic salmon populations span much of the North Atlantic Ocean.

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