Population Genetics of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) in Prince Edward Island, Canada

ABSTRACT Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) have experienced population declines across their native range. Widespread stocking has been a population recovery strategy, but there is a growing awareness that stocking may put genetic integrity at risk. In Prince Edward Island, Canada, over 37 million salmo...

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Main Authors: Carissa M. Grove, Scott D. Roloson, Kyle M. Knysh, Scott A. Pavey, David K. Cairns, Robert F. Gilmour Jr., Michael R. van denHeuvel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-05-01
Series:Ecology and Evolution
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71285
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author Carissa M. Grove
Scott D. Roloson
Kyle M. Knysh
Scott A. Pavey
David K. Cairns
Robert F. Gilmour Jr.
Michael R. van denHeuvel
author_facet Carissa M. Grove
Scott D. Roloson
Kyle M. Knysh
Scott A. Pavey
David K. Cairns
Robert F. Gilmour Jr.
Michael R. van denHeuvel
author_sort Carissa M. Grove
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) have experienced population declines across their native range. Widespread stocking has been a population recovery strategy, but there is a growing awareness that stocking may put genetic integrity at risk. In Prince Edward Island, Canada, over 37 million salmon have been stocked since 1880. This study used a panel of six microsatellites and next‐generation sequencing to evaluate the genetic composition of 884 individuals from 20 rivers. Bayesian clustering methods inferred groupings that were generally consistent with the spatial distribution of rivers. A cluster in northeastern PEI was the most distinct, clustering separately across all methods. Distance between rivers accounted for 25.8% of the variations, whereas stocking intensity did not predict genetic variation. The genetic composition of the most heavily stocked river changed over a few years, suggesting that wild free‐ranging fish could outcompete stocked fish. Currently, PEI has multiple genetic stocks that are consistent with the post‐glacial biogeography rather than stocking history. Clarification of these adaptations is required to guide the incorporation of genetics into management strategies for the benefit of Atlantic salmon conservation.
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spelling doaj-art-bd62ed8a273342719c8ea2b586faf0fc2025-08-20T03:10:09ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582025-05-01155n/an/a10.1002/ece3.71285Population Genetics of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) in Prince Edward Island, CanadaCarissa M. Grove0Scott D. Roloson1Kyle M. Knysh2Scott A. Pavey3David K. Cairns4Robert F. Gilmour Jr.5Michael R. van denHeuvel6Canadian Rivers Institute University of Prince Edward Island Charlottetown Prince Edward Island CanadaFisheries and Oceans Canada Charlottetown Prince Edward Island CanadaCanadian Rivers Institute University of Prince Edward Island Charlottetown Prince Edward Island CanadaCanadian Rivers Institute University of New Brunswick Saint John New Brunswick CanadaFisheries and Oceans Canada Charlottetown Prince Edward Island CanadaDepartment of Sustainable Design Engineering University of Prince Edward Island Charlottetown Prince Edward Island CanadaCanadian Rivers Institute University of Prince Edward Island Charlottetown Prince Edward Island CanadaABSTRACT Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) have experienced population declines across their native range. Widespread stocking has been a population recovery strategy, but there is a growing awareness that stocking may put genetic integrity at risk. In Prince Edward Island, Canada, over 37 million salmon have been stocked since 1880. This study used a panel of six microsatellites and next‐generation sequencing to evaluate the genetic composition of 884 individuals from 20 rivers. Bayesian clustering methods inferred groupings that were generally consistent with the spatial distribution of rivers. A cluster in northeastern PEI was the most distinct, clustering separately across all methods. Distance between rivers accounted for 25.8% of the variations, whereas stocking intensity did not predict genetic variation. The genetic composition of the most heavily stocked river changed over a few years, suggesting that wild free‐ranging fish could outcompete stocked fish. Currently, PEI has multiple genetic stocks that are consistent with the post‐glacial biogeography rather than stocking history. Clarification of these adaptations is required to guide the incorporation of genetics into management strategies for the benefit of Atlantic salmon conservation.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71285Atlantic salmondiversitygeneticspopulationstocking
spellingShingle Carissa M. Grove
Scott D. Roloson
Kyle M. Knysh
Scott A. Pavey
David K. Cairns
Robert F. Gilmour Jr.
Michael R. van denHeuvel
Population Genetics of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) in Prince Edward Island, Canada
Ecology and Evolution
Atlantic salmon
diversity
genetics
population
stocking
title Population Genetics of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) in Prince Edward Island, Canada
title_full Population Genetics of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) in Prince Edward Island, Canada
title_fullStr Population Genetics of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) in Prince Edward Island, Canada
title_full_unstemmed Population Genetics of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) in Prince Edward Island, Canada
title_short Population Genetics of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) in Prince Edward Island, Canada
title_sort population genetics of atlantic salmon salmo salar in prince edward island canada
topic Atlantic salmon
diversity
genetics
population
stocking
url https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71285
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