Evidence of Adaptive Polygenic Variation Between Two Populations of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Native to Tributaries of the S. W. Miramichi River, N.B.

Abstract

Breeding experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that spatial homeostasis in growth and proximate composition and geographic variation in body morphology and timing of migration in juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) have an adaptive basis. The populations studied were Rocky Brook and Sabbies River, tributaries of the Southwest Miramichi River, New Brunswick. Growth rates and proximate composition were very similar in the two populations under hatchery conditions. Genetic contributions to homeostasis in these traits were largely additive. The phenotypic expression of migratory behavior and the genetic control of timing were not quantifiable. A genetic basis to interpopulation variation in body morphology was demonstrated. Progeny from Rocky Brook which exhibits higher flows had more fusiform bodies and longer fins than progeny from Sabbies River when reared under identical conditions. Heritable variation in morphology and a demonstrated directional selection for greater fin size in high velocity environments support the hypothesis that these traits are adaptive. Adaptive polygenic variation between local populations stresses the need to delineate stocks on a functional basis so that species can be managed without significant loss of fitness and/or depletion of genetic variation in natural populations.Key words: quantitative genetics, heritability, adaptation, morphology, growth, proximate composition, migration, Atlantic salmon, interdemic variation, directional selection