Genetic Variation of Fecundity and Egg Size in Anadromous Pink Salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Walbau
- Authors: W.W. Smoker, A.J. Gharrett, M.S. Stekoll, and S.G. Taylor
- Pub. no.: RP-01-01
- Year: 2000
- Price: Single copies free
Description
Families of pink salmon were created by mating of 60 male pink salmon to 120 females from an odd year population. The offspring were tagged and released, then recaptured 16 months later when they returned to spawn. The results showed that heritability of number of eggs was 0.8, and egg size did not differ between components. The authors conclude that variations in fitness-related traits can be maintained from generation to generation in fluctuating environments by genetic variation, and are important to the adaptability and persistence of populations. Thus managers should strive to conserve diversity. For full text see http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/afrb/vol7/smokerv7.pdf. Alaska Fishery Research Bulletin 7:44-50.
