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Linking genetic assignment tests with telemetry enhances understanding of spawning migration and homing in sea trout Salmo trutta L.

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Abstract

Telemetric and molecular techniques are powerful tools for investigating patterns of species dispersal, habitat use, and reproductive behavior. Yet, these methods are rarely combined when studying spatial structures of migrating animals. This study combines migration data with genetic assignment tests of radio-tagged sea trout, Salmo trutta L., in two Swedish rivers. We investigate how the genetic information enhances the interpretation of the telemetry data. Individual gene frequencies of tagged fish are assigned to baseline samples of brown trout collected in tributaries and the main stems. The genetic assignment tests confirm that individuals returned from the sea to their natal stream, but also suggest that some individuals migrated to other than their native habitat. In total, 82% (R. Piteälven) and 37% (R. Vindelälven) of fish that were successfully assigned to a sample in a baseline migrated to an area in the vicinity of the sample location. The difference between rivers is likely due to low genetic differentiation among baseline samples and effects of stocking of fish in the R. Vindelälven. Combining the two techniques enhances understanding of migration behavior, important for conservation and management.

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Acknowledgments

Helena Königsson and Bo-Sören Wiklund are thanked for technical support. Two anonymous reviewers are thanked for valuable comments on an earlier version of this paper. Vindelälvens fiskeråd, Piteälvens Ekonomiska förening, Vattenfall AB staff in Norrfors, Vattenfall Service Nord AB, are also thanked for their support. The project was financed by the Ministry of Sustainable Development (LIP), EU-fundings Mål 1, and cooperation between the following communities: Arjeplog, Arvidsjaur, Lycksele, Piteå, Sorsele, Vännäs, Vindeln, Älvsbyn and also the County administration in Norr- and Västerbotten and the National Fisheries Board. Further fundings to J. Östergren was received from: Göran Gustafsson stiftelse för natur och miljö i Lappland, Kempestiftelsen, Stiftelsen Carl-Fredrik von Horns fond och Knut och Alice Wallenbergs stiftelse. The handling and tagging procedure was approved by the Swedish Animal Welfare Agency nr: A65-01.

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  1. Department of Aquatic Resources, Institute of Freshwater Research, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Stångholmsvägen 2, 178 93, Drottningholm, Sweden

    Johan Östergren

  2. Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90183, Umeå, Sweden

    Johan Östergren, Jan Nilsson & Hans Lundqvist

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  1. Johan Östergren
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Correspondence to Johan Östergren.

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Östergren, J., Nilsson, J. & Lundqvist, H. Linking genetic assignment tests with telemetry enhances understanding of spawning migration and homing in sea trout Salmo trutta L.. Hydrobiologia 691, 123–134 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-1063-7

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