Selective effect of the duration of the critical temperature period on some allozyme loci of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. (Salmonidae)

Abstract

Genetic structure of juvenile fish from the populations of the Atlantic salmon Salmo salar inhabiting the rivers of Murmansk oblast, Arkhangelsk oblast, and Karelia, as well as of juveniles from hatcheries was examined at five allozymic loci: aspartate aminotransferase (AAT-4*), isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDHP-3*), iditol dehydrogenase (IDDH-2*), esterase D (ESTD*), and malic enzyme (MEP-2*). High genetic differentiation of both natural and "hatchery" juvenile fish was revealed. It was demonstrated that the gene pool of juveniles at three of the five loci tested was to a considerable degree formed by natural selection. In this case, the role of limiting factor was played by the duration of critical temperature regime in the rivers. The differentiation factors for juveniles from nature were not established, however, their clusterization pattern pointed to a possible role of natural selection in this process.