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Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Lineages and Sexes Show Variable Patterns of Association of Adult Migration Timing and Age‐at‐Maturity Traits with Two Genomic Regions

Nov 16, 2020

Abstract

As life history diversity plays a critical role in supporting the resilience of exploited populations, understanding the genetic basis of those life history variations is important for conservation management. However, effective application requires a robust understanding of the strength and universality of genetic associations. Here, we examine genetic variation of single nucleotide polymorphisms in genomic regions previously associated with migration phenology and age‐at‐maturity in steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from the Columbia River. We found chromosome 28 markers (GREB1L, ROCK1 genes) explained significant variance in migration timing in both coastal and inland steelhead. However, strength of association was much greater in coastal than inland steelhead (R2 0.51 vs. 0.08), suggesting that genomic background and challenging inland migration pathways may act to moderate effects of this region. Further, we found that chromosome 25 candidate markers (SIX6 gene) were significantly associated with age and size at first return migration for inland steelhead, and this pattern was mediated by sex in a predictable pattern (males R2 = 0.139–0.170; females R2 = 0.096–0.111). While this encourages using these candidate regions in predicting life history characteristics, we suggest that stock‐specific associations and haplotype frequencies will be useful in guiding implementation of genetic assays to inform management.

Authors

Stuart Willis, Jon Hess, Jeff Fryer, John Whiteaker, Chris Brun, Ryan Gerstenberger, and Shawn Narum

Citation

Willis, S.C. J.E. Hess, J.K. Fryer, J.M. Whiteaker, C. Brun, R. Gerstenberger, and S.R. Narum. 2020. Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) lineages and sexes show variable patterns of association of adult migration timing and age‐at‐maturity traits with two genomic regions. Evolutionary Applications 13(10):2836-2856. Online at https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13088.

Date

2020/08/11

Report No.

JournalPost_Willis_etal2020

Media Type

Journal Article