The genetic population structure of brown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in New Brunswick river systems (New Brunswick, Canada)
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Date
2020
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University of New Brunswick
Abstract
Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) and Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), native to Europe and western North America respectively, now populate New Brunswick rivers after their introduction in the 1900s. Studying the population genetics of these salmonids will help to understand how these introductions took place in New Brunswick and help inform management practices. The objective of this study was to analyze the mitochondrial DNA control region of Brown and Rainbow Trout to determine the genetic structuring of these species. One Brown Trout population revealed substantial genetic structuring; however, low genetic variation in other Brown Trout populations left any interpopulation reproductive interactions unresolved. Rainbow Trout genetic structure supported panmixia, besides two populations above a man-made barrier that displayed significant structuring. This study is the first to explore the population genetics of Brown and Rainbow Trout in New Brunswick, providing a foundation for future work on the genetic population structure of these species.