| dc.description.abstract | Migration, the long distance movement of animals to take advantage of seasonal resources, has long fascinated scientists and the general public alike. Although much is known about the ecology of migration, little information is known about the genes underlying this behavior. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) contains both migratory and resident individuals. Migrants move to the ocean for up to four years before returning to their natal streams to spawn, whereas resident individuals stay in their natal streams throughout their lives. An individual with migratory parents is more likely to migrate than an individual with resident parents. However, the development of the migratory phenotype also depends on environmental factors, such as food abundance and territory allocation. These factors can cause individuals with migratory parents to become resident if these factors best increase their fitness. Previous studies have found several genes connected to vision and light sensitivity to be differentially expressed between migrants and residents. Nevertheless, the location of these genes in the rainbow trout genome is unknown. To date, unlike the human genome, the rainbow trout genome is incomplete. The purpose of this project was to determine the location of these differentially expressed genes. In so doing, it is hoped that I will be able to determine how inheritance of these genes influence the decision to migrate. This research will help in determine the contribution of genes associated with vision and perception of light on migration in rainbow trout and may provide candidate genes for studies in other migratory organisms. | |
