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, Pecheyran, Christophe, Baglinière, Jean-Luc, Roussel, Jean-Marc
• Other Authors: Écologie et santé des écosystèmes (ESE), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-AGROCAMPUS OUEST, Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (Institut Agro)-Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (Institut Agro), AGROCAMPUS OUEST, Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (Institut Agro), Ecosystèmes estuariens et poissons migrateurs amphihalins (UR EPBX), Centre national du machinisme agricole, du génie rural, des eaux et forêts (CEMAGREF), Institut Pluridisciplinaire de Recherche sur l'Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM), Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour (UPPA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2011
• Subjects: TROUT ONCORHYNCHUS-MYKISS; STABLE-ISOTOPE ANALYSES; ABLATION ICP-MS; MICROSATELLITE DNA; ASSIGNMENT METHODS; ESTUARINE FISH; CHEMISTRY; MICROCHEMISTRY; WILD; IDENTIFICATION; [SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]; Atlantic salmon; Salmo salar
• Online Access: https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01453854; https://doi.org/10.1139/f2011-040

This study combines otolith trace element and genetic analyses to explore the origin of individuals when hatcheryreared 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) approximate to 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 adul! ts 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.