| Abstract | Migration is broadly defined as the movement of individuals from one area to another to take advantage of seasonal resources. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exist as two different types (commonly known as rainbow and steelhead trout) that exhibit different migratory patterns. While the decision to migrate or stay resident is complex, it is well-known that there is a relationship between the migratory patterns of parents and the migratory patterns of their offspring, suggesting a strong heritable basis. Although several genes have been identified that are associated with migration in rainbow trout, how widespread these polymorphisms are between different populations of trout remains unknown. This project aimed to determine polymorphisms that may be contributing to the migratory versus stationary phenotype in two populations from Southeast Alaska. Sequencing data collected from two loci, Omy16 and Omy17, led to the identification of two SNPs with significantly different allelic frequencies between residents and migrants, suggesting that allelic differences exist between Sashin Lake and Sashin Creek. It is possible that these alleles can be used to determine where migrating smolts originated from. Future studies will be conducted on larger sample sizes and different populations to determine if these loci of interest can be used across populations and in conservation efforts. |
