Marker assisted selection for Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) broodstock development

• Main Author: Johansen, April Doris
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 1999
• Subjects: Arctic; Daniel's Harbour; Salvelinus alpinus
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/10745/; https://research.library.mun.ca/10745/1/Johansen_AprilDoris.pdf

Arctic char is regarded as an excellent candidate for aquaculture. However, the size variability exhibited by this species hampers large scale production. An association study comparing individuals from a population with and without the trait in question, was carried out in combination with selective genotyping in order to determine if there was an association between marker loci and growth. -- The Daniel's Harbour Hatchery Arctic char were found to have very low levels of genetic variation, with only 13 of74 salmonid microsatellites showing variation. This result was not unexpected as the founding population consisted of two males and two females. Three microsatellite loci appeared to be associated with growth in two year classes of Arctic char. As these results were reproducible from year to year it is likely that this is a true association between marker and growth. This hypothesis can be tested by producing families from broodstock containing specific alleles at these loci and examining the association of specific alleles within family members. If the hypothesis is verified, it would be of great benefit to the Arctic char aquaculture industry.