Preliminary investigations of genetic structure of chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta, in the Noatak and Kobuk river drainages of northwestern Alaska
Davis RH and Olito C. 1986. Preliminary investigations of genetic structure of chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta, in the Noatak and Kobuk river drainages of northwestern Alaska. FRED Report. Fisheries Rehabilitation, Enhancement and Development (FRED) Report No. 62. Alaska Dept of Fish and Game, Division of Fisheries Rehabilitation, Enhancement and Development. Juneau, AK
Tissues were sampled from spawning chum salmon from five sites in the Noatak River drainage and from four sites in the Kobuk River drainage. Samples were screened for genetic variation using starch-gel electrophoresis. Thirty loci were resolved; six of these were polymorphic. Average heterozygosities were similar among populations but lower than observed in populations from other areas of Alaska. Fixation indices revealed little genetic differentiation among sample populations. Analysis of F-statistics indicated that only approximately 1% of the total genetic variation in the total population from the Noatak and Kobuk drainages could be attributed to differences between sample groups. Contingency table analysis did reveal, however, significant heterozygosity (P less than .01) among Noatak River samples. Variation at two loci in the Noatak River samples indicates that the Noatak population is structured. It is suggested that fish from below the Kelly River confluence and those in tributaries of the upper Noatak River may be from two genetically discrete breeding units.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Davis, R; Olito, C
- Date of Issue
- 1986
- Publisher
- Alaska Dept of Fish and Game, Division of Fisheries Rehabilitation, Enhancement and Development
- Units
- GAAR , KOVA , NOAT
- Keywords
- Chum Salmon, Fish, Fisheries, Gates Of The Arctic National Park And Preserve, Genetics, Kobuk River drainage, Kobuk Valley National Park, Noatak National Preserve, Noatak River drainage, Oncorhynchus keta, Salmon