Genetic differentiation between anadromous and freshwater resident brown trout (Salmo trutta L.): insights obtained from stable isotope analysis

Abstract –  A genetic survey was carried out on recently emerging fry to investigate interbreeding between anadromous and freshwater resident brown trout in La Roche Brook, a major spawning tributary of the Oir River system (Normandy, France). Emerging fry were sampled at three different sites in spring 2002 and 2003. Stable isotope analysis (SIA) allowed the classification of each individual as the progeny of resident ( N  = 76) or anadromous ( N  = 58) female trout. Microsatellite DNA analysis showed that genetic diversity between fry samples can be explained by microgeographical (various sampling sites) and temporal (2 years of sampling) variations rather than maternal origin (anadromous vs. freshwater resident). We conclude that a high level of gene flow exists between the two morphs when anadromous adults have access to the spawning grounds of residents. We highlight the relevance of using SIA in conjunction with genetic analysis to study interactions between the two morphs.     

High genetic introgression in alpine brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) populations from Hardangervidda, Norway

Abstract –  We studied the effect of stocking brown trout in three alpine lakes (Skavatn, Midtre Grøndalsvatn and Nordmannslågen) of the Hardangervidda mountain plateau by comparing microsatellite data from historical (1933 and 1967) and contemporary (2003) population samples. Historical and contemporary samples from a control lake (Krokavatn) and a contemporary sample from Gjuvsjå (suspected donor lake) were included as well. A total of 331 brown trout were genotyped with 11 microsatellites. Very low level of genetic diversity is observed in the historical samples from Nordmannslågen and Midtre Grøndalsvatn but not in the contemporary samples. In Skavatn historical and contemporary samples show similar genetic diversity as in the other contemporary samples. Admixture analyses with the structure program indicate high levels of introgression by nonnative brown trout in all three lakes. The stocking source for two lakes (i.e. from Gjuvsjå) is partially verifiable via our analyses. The high introgression in these lakes is discussed and the management issues are briefly addressed.     

Reproductive performance of cultured brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) in Chile

Data on reproductive traits in a cultured population of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) in southern Chile were collected over three consecutive reproductive seasons: 1999, 2000 and 2001, corresponding to the first (at 3 years), second and third spawnings in females. Data were collected from individual females (n=238, 273 and 169 respectively). The reproductive season lasted mainly from June to August. The peak (July) tended to increase with each season (55.46%, 62.27% and 80.81% of total spawning fish respectively). Female body weight (470.8±102.5, 735.0±150 and 1263.9±263.4 g), total fecundity (1182±344, 1904±595 and 2744±605) and egg diameter (4.64±0.11, 4.67±0.27 and 5.24±0.12 mm) increased significantly (P<0.01) over successive reproductive seasons, particularly between the second and third spawnings. Relative fecundity, on the other hand, decreased significantly with each season (3577±471, 2591±900 and 2181±360). Following analysis of the variables over the three seasons, the correlation pattern of female body weight with total fecundity (r=0.91, n=458; P<0.001) and relative fecundity (r=?034, n=451; P<0.001) proved similar to that described in other salmonid females. Fertilization rate and survival to the eyed egg stage were also positively correlated (r=0.73, n=453; P<0.001). The systematically high values obtained for these latter variables over the seasons evaluated (consistently above 90%) are clearly greater than those we registered in other species of salmonids bred in Chile under similar conditions and suggest highly efficient biological variables that determine the gamete fertilization of this species. The brown trout is, therefore, an interesting potential aquaculture resource in Chile.     

Functional response and size‐dependent foraging on aquatic and terrestrial prey by brown trout (Salmo trutta L.)

Gustafsson P, Bergman E, Greenberg LA. Functional response and size‐dependent foraging on aquatic and terrestrial prey by brown trout (Salmo trutta L.).Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 170–177. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – Terrestrial invertebrate subsidies are believed to be important energy sources for drift‐feeding salmonids. Despite this, size‐specific use of and efficiency in procuring this resource have not been studied to any great extent. Therefore, we measured the functional responses of three size classes of wild brown trout Salmo trutta (0+, 1+ and ≥2+) when fed either benthic‐ (Gammarus sp.) or surface‐drifting prey (Musca domestica) in laboratory experiments. To test for size‐specific prey preferences, both benthic and surface prey were presented simultaneously by presenting the fish with a constant density of benthic prey and a variable density of surface prey. The results showed that the functional response of 0+ trout differed significantly from the larger size classes, with 0+ fish having the lowest capture rates. Capture rates did not differ significantly between prey types. In experiments when both prey items were presented simultaneously, capture rate differed significantly between size classes, with larger trout having higher capture rates than smaller trout. However, capture rates within each size class did not change with prey density or prey composition. The two‐prey experiments also showed that 1+ trout ate significantly more surface‐drifting prey than 0+ trout. In contrast, there was no difference between 0+ and ≥2+ trout. Analyses of the vertical position of the fish in the water column corroborated size‐specific foraging results: larger trout remained in the upper part of the water column between attacks on surface prey more often than smaller trout, which tended to seek refuge at the bottom between attacks. These size‐specific differences in foraging and vertical position suggest that larger trout may be able to use surface‐drifting prey to a greater extent than smaller conspecifics.     

Survival of sea‐water‐adapted trout,Salmo trutta L. ranched in a Danish fjord

The effect of seawater adaptation on the survival of coastally released post‐smolt trout, Salmo trutta L., was investigated by release: (1) directly (with no adaptation); (2) after retention in net pens in the sea for 29–131 days (delayed release); (3) after feeding with a high‐salt diet (12–13.5% NaCl) for 4 weeks; and (4) after a combination of (2) and (3). In total, 17 640 trout (age = 1+, 1.5 and 2+ years; mean fork lengths = 18.2–25.6 cm) were released in 14 batches in the summer or autumn months of 1986–1989. All fish were of domesticated origin and Carlin tagged. Survival and instantaneous mortality rates (total and fishing mortality) were estimated from reported recaptures. Mortality rates were estimated for: (1) the post‐smolt period; (2) the period until the legal size of capture (40 cm) was attained; and (3) for larger sea‐trout. Release with a delay of 4 weeks gave an increased survival rate. A longer adaptation period did not increase survival. On average, survival was increased by 36%. Survival was not increased by high‐salt diets. Until attainment of the legal size for capture, survival was 9.6% higher on average, with extremes as low as 1.7% and as high as 38% in individual batches.     

Genetic characterization of Portuguese brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) and comparison with other European populations

Abstract– Allozyme and other protein loci were examined to study the genetic structure of Portuguese brown trout ( Salmo trutta ) populations. A total of 247 individuals from three tributaries of the Lima hydrological basin and a hatchery, all located in northern Portugal, were analyzed. Four of 22 protein coding loci were found to be polymorphic: CK-A1^*, GPI-A2^*, MPI-2^* and TF^*. A new allelc at the latter locus was found in Atlantic populations. The data obtained for Portuguese brown trout were compared with published data for 14 European populations and three hatchery stocks. Six polymorphic loci (CK-A1^*, GPI-A2^*, GPI-B2^*, LDH-C^*, ME^* and MPI-2^*) were used in a cluster analysis. This showed the similarity of Portuguese natural populations and northern Iberian populations and that Portuguese hatchery fish have an autochthonous origin, distinct from that of other Atlantic hatchery stocks.     

Migratory behaviour of brown trout, Salmo trutta L: importance of genetic and environmental influences

Lake Storvindeln in northern Sweden supports a population of fast-growing lake-run brown trout. Spawning and early rearing take place in the River Vindelälven, while most growth occurs in the lake (piscivory). A smaller tributary to the lake, Låktabäcken Creek, holds a resident, early maturing, short-lived brown trout population, although no migratory barriers have existed since 1947. To establish a lake-run trout population, fry from the migratory R. Vindelälven stock were introduced into the creek during 1985–1991. Introduced trout descended to the lake prior to maturing. As a result of the introduction, large adult trout returned from L. Storvindeln to the creek to spawn in 1991 and 1992; i. e., the introduced trout were able to complete a migratory life cycle. Genetic factors appeared to have a primary influence on the predisposition to migrate in this case, and it is suggested that migratory populations rarely develop from strictly resident ones.     

Genetic population structure within streams: microsatellite analysis of bull trout populations

Abstract– We used six polymorphic microsatellite loci to investigate a potential metapopulation system in bull trout ( Salvelinus confluentus ) from five spawning localities in the Lightning Creek drainage, a tributary to Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho. The number of spawners as estimated by redd counts is low in all populations sampled. Analytic viability models indicate that local isolated populations of these sizes are unlikely to persist. We tested two hypotheses: (1) these are remnant populations that are vulnerable to local extinction, or (2) these populations are interconnected by migration and are being maintained at larger effective sizes than indicated by the redd counts (i. e. metapopulation dynamics). All populations within the Lightning Creek basin are significantly differentiated ( P > 0.005), and the allele frequencies appear to be stable among temporally separated subsamples within locations. It is therefore unlikely that extensive dispersal has linked tributaries in a manner consistent with a metapopulation structure. The low number of spawning individuals combined with the degree of isolation indicated by the genetic data suggest that extinction of the tributary populations is probable if temporal variability and small size is prolonged. However, these populations contain amounts of genetic variation similar to populations throughout the range of bull trout. Therefore, if the apparent demographic trends are reversed, these populations may recover without suffering the detrimental effects of a severe bottleneck.     

Genetic characterization of naturalized populations of brown trout Salmo trutta L. in southern Chile using allozyme and microsatellite markers

This study describes the genetic structure of five naturalized populations of brown trout in southern Chile using allozyme and microsatellite markers to establish levels of intra‐ and interpopulation genetic variability and divergence. Fourteen enzymatic systems were used comprising 20 loci and three microsatellite loci specific to brown trout. The genetic variability values (allozymes, P=20–35%, average=27%, H_O=0.118–0.160, average=0.141; microsatellites, P=33.3–100%, average=66.66%, H_O=0.202–0.274, average=0.229) are similar to values described in other naturalized populations of brown trout present in Chile, but higher than those observed in European populations of this species. Values of total genetic diversity (H_T) (allozymes=0.1216 and microsatellites=0.3504) and relative genetic divergence (G_ST) (allozymes=9.5% and microsatellites=15%) were also similar to the results obtained in previous studies of Chilean populations of brown trout. These values, when compared with those obtained in Europe, proved to be similar for H_T but lower for G_ST. The low interpopulational genetic differentiation was in accordance with the small genetic distance observed between the populations analysed (D Nei=0.004–0.025). On the other hand, the high frequency of one of the two alternative alleles of the phylogeographic marker locus LDH‐5* in the populations analysed (LDH‐5*90>0.84) would indicate a European origin, in particular Atlantic as opposed to Mediterranean, for the brown trout introduced into Chile. The high levels of genetic variability suggest a mixed origin for the naturalized brown trout in Chile, which could have originated either before or during the introduction process. Nevertheless, the low level of genetic differentiation between populations could reflect the short lapse of time in evolutionary terms, during which populations introduced into Chile have been exposed to different evolutionary forces, and which has not been sufficiently long to produce greater genetic differentiation between populations.     

Response of resident brown trout, Salmo trutta L., and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), to the stocking of hatchery-reared brown trout

Two strains of hatchery-reared adult brown trout, Salmo trutta L., [208–334 mm total length (TL); n =  591] were individually marked and released into a limestone stream. The estimated survival after one month (86%; n =  508) was comparable to that for resident brown trout and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), (89%; n =  771), but declined to 14% ( n =  83) after 8 months compared with 52% ( n =  451) for resident trout. The movement of resident trout out of stocked stretches was higher (14%) than from control sites (5%), but the population size in both individual sites and the overall study area were unaffected. The growth of resident brown trout was unaffected by stocking, but rainbow trout showed lower growth rates in stocked versus unstocked stretches both one and 8 months after stocking ( P <  0.002).     

Effects of stocking of piscivorous brown trout, Salmo trutta L., on stunted Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.)

To study the effects on a stunted freshwater population of Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), two groups of large (26–45 cm) individually tagged brown trout, Salmo trutta L., were released and recaptured with gillnets after 1, 7, 11 and 63 weeks. One group of trout was trained on a fish diet before release, and the other, reared on commercial dry pellets, served as a control. Specific growth rates in both groups were negative 1 week after release and approached zero after 63 weeks. Condition factor and internal fat content decreased during the experiment. Although only 11% of the trout stomachs examined contained fish prey, charr represented 79% of the total stomach weight content. Gillnet samples of charr before and 63 weeks after the release of trout indicated a decreasing population size of charr. Individual growth and mean length of charr increased after release of trout, especially for charr at age 4 years. After the release of trout, 35% of the charr were longer than 20 cm as compared with 6% before the release.     

Comparative life-history characteristics of native and hatchery-reared brown trout, Salmo trutta L., in a sub-Alpine reservoir

Wild and non-native hatchery-reared brown trout, Salmo trutta L., released when 2 summers old, were caught in the littoral habitat of Vinstervatna Reservoir, southern Norway. Hatchery-reared brown trout grew more slowly and had a smaller asymptotic length (293 ± 71 mm CL) than native fish (391 ± 56 mm CL). Hatchery-reared brown trout also exhibited significantly shorter life spans than native fish. This category consisted mainly of individuals aged 2+ and 3+ years, and only 1.5% of the specimens were aged ≥5 years. The ages of the native fish in the sample were between 2 and 8 years, and the most abundant age groups of trout were 4+ and 5+ years. It is suggested that the differences in life-history characteristics are related to adaptations by the native trout to the local environmental conditions. In this reservoir, which has a limited food supply as a result of water level fluctuations and a high level of inter- and intraspecific competition, environmental effects might be significant.     

Population size in stream-living juveniles of lake-migratory brown trout Salmo trutta L.: the importance of stream discharge and temperature

Abstract –  Based on the analysis of 17 successive year-classes, this investigation attempted to identify the factors determining year-to-year variation in population size of the stream-living juveniles of Lake Hald-dwelling brown trout Salmo trutta L. Population size appeared to be influenced chiefly by annual recruitment that in turn, was determined by stream discharge and temperature. These patterns matched those previously highlighted for a resident population located >2500 km apart and emphasised the importance of environmental (climatic) variability as a major regulating agent of population size in stream brown trout. However, distinctly shaped recruitment–discharge relationships between the two populations suggested different mechanisms in response to environmental variability and thus to persist in time.     

Population genetics of the European trout (Salmo trutta L.) migration system in the river Rhine: recolonisation by sea trout

Abstract –  Allozyme genetics (34 loci) is studied in up to 1010 European trout ( Salmo trutta ) from the Rhine, Meuse, Weser, Elbe and Danube river systems in Central Europe. Population samples from single collection sites, chiefly small streams ( G _CG = 0.2126), rather than the divergence of the trout from Atlantic and Danubian drainages ( G _SG = 0.0711), contributed to the overall gene diversity of G _ST = 0.2824. Sea trout ( n  = 164) and brown trout ( n  = 767) in Atlantic rivers adhere to the same biogeographical stock, but anadromous trout from the Rhine and the Elbe display more genetic cohesion than resident brown trout from the Rhine system alone. Strayers from the Elbe could have founded the recently re-established sea trout population of the Rhine, after a few decades of absence or precarious rarity. Migrants may even connect the Rhine and Elbe stocks by ongoing gene flow. A release–recapture study confirms that all trout in the Rhine belong to one partly migratory population network: Six of 2400 juvenile sea trout released into a tributary of the Rhine were later recorded as emigrants to the Rhine delta, against three of 1600 released brown trout. One migrant had entered the open North Sea, but the other dispersers were recorded in fresh waters of the Rhine delta (Ijsselmeer, Amstelmeer). Stocking presumably elevated both heterozygosity and fixation indices of brown trout, but this effect is subtle within the range of the Atlantic population group. Improved sea trout management in the Rhine, and modifications to brown trout stocking in the upper Danubian area are recommended.     

Genetic variation of body size, condition and pyloric caeca number in juvenile brown trout, Salmo trutta L.

Parental and individual variance components of body length, weight, condition (estimated as the second principal component of the length–weight relationship) and pyloric caeca number were investigated in 6‐month‐old brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) by the mean of two sib analyses, which provided consistent results. The average heritabilities (±SE) were 0.12 (±0.08) for length, 0.16 (±0.08) for weight, 0.47 (±0.14) for condition and 0.38 (±0.12) for pyloric caeca number. Maternal effects were also observed, although short of significance, in length, weight and caeca number. Correlations between caeca number and body size averaged +0.10 among individuals within lots, but genetic correlations were negative, i.e. about ?0.9 for length and ?0.7 for weight. There was no significant correlation between caeca number and condition. These results lead to question the role that pyloric caeca may play in growth, as well as their usefulness in fish breeding.     

Resource use of native and stocked brown trout Salmo trutta L., in a subarctic lake

Habitat use, food composition and growth of stocked and native brown trout, Salmo trutta L., were studied in the subarctic Lake Muddusjärvi in northern Finland. Stocked brown trout and native brown trout preferred littoral and pelagic areas. Trout were stocked in October. In June stocked trout fed primarily on invertebrates while native fish were piscivorous. From July onwards the composition of the diet of both stocked and native trout was similar and consisted almost entirely of small‐sized whitefish. Brown trout were already piscivorous at a length of about 20 cm. The mean length of prey consumed was about 12 cm. Mean length‐at‐age was similar from the second year in the lake despite of the larger size of stocked fish during the first year in the lake.     

Do instream habitat variables and the abundance of brown trout Salmo trutta (L.) affect the distribution and growth of stone loach,Barbatula barbatula (L.)?

Abstract –  Along a stream, we investigated whether the abundance of stone loach ( Barbatula barbatula , L.) was related to the presence of brown trout ( Salmo trutta , L.) and instream habitat variables. First, a field survey was carried out where different habitat variables and the densities of both species were quantified and subjected to principal components analysis. Then the abundance of stone loach was related to the scores of the retained axes (eigenvalues >1). The abundance of stone loach was positively correlated to substrate particle size, amount of shade, temperature, discharge and current velocity, but negatively correlated to brown trout abundance. Secondly, a month-long field enclosure experiment in a stream was performed to test for any negative effects of brown trout on stone loach growth. Four treatments were used: intraspecific competition (stone loach at double density), interspecific competition (stone loach + small trout), predation (stone loach + large trout) and a control (stone loach alone). The results showed that large trout tended to have negative effects on final stone loach biomass. The absence of a negative effect of large trout on resource density suggests that nonlethal effects rather than resource competition caused this trend.     

Effect of habitat fragmentation on spawning migration of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.)

Abstract –  Human-induced habitat alteration is one of the main causes of the decline of freshwater fish populations. The watershed of the River Bidasoa (Spain) is an example of heavily fragmented habitat. The local brown trout ( Salmo trutta L.) population is disturbed, with evidence of poor recruitment as well as low adult densities in the main stem. Forty male and female adult migratory trout were tagged with external or internal radio transmitters and released. Fixed stations with data loggers and mobile antennae were used with daily surveys to track fish movements during the migration and spawning period (3 months). Migration distances did not exceed 10 km, and half of the fish never entered a tributary in the study area. Fragmentation because of weirs on the main stem apparently prevented fish from reaching their spawning destination. Fish that entered the tributaries were first confronted with an accessibility problem because of low discharge. However, each fish chose one tributary, without making attempts to run up in other tributaries. Once in the tributary, fish were restrained in their upstream movements by dams. The study area appeared to be isolated from the vast upper part of the watershed. Within the study area, upper parts of tributaries also seemed strongly disconnected from the main stem. This study illustrates the negative impact of river fragmentation on S. trutta migration pattern. Population sustainability can be directly affected through the low availability of spawning grounds for migratory fish. Long-term effects of fragmentation may cause reproductive isolation within watersheds, which in the case of trout also means isolated phenotypic population units.     

The effects of lakes on growth in yearling brown trout (Salmo trutta L.)

Abstract– Data from the Swedish Electrofishing Register were used to study the effects of lakes on the growth of yearling (0+) brown trout in outlet streams. It was found that growth increased close to lakes. On average, the length of the longest yearlings was 10% greater 0-100 m downstream from lakes as compared with more than 1 km downstream. Growth enhancement was most pronounced downstream from large lakes. This was exemplified with maximum yearling lengths in September in inlet streams (maximum yearlings 50-100 mm) and outlet streams (65-130 mm) of Lake Stora Le (area 200 km²), and inlet streams (50-75 mm) and outlet streams (65-95 mm) of Lake Anten (area 18 km²). It is suggested that this is a combined effect of both increased water temperature and outflow of lake seston. The growth pattern found was not correlated to population abundance or to the abundance of competitors or predators.     

The role of temperature in the prey capture probability of drift‐feeding juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta)

Abstract – Cold water temperatures are widely supposed to reduce the food intake of stream salmonids. Although cold temperatures have been documented to reduce swimming ability, digestion and gastric evacuation rates, little is known about how temperature influences the ability of fish to capture prey. We examined the effects of water temperature on the prey capture probability of drift‐feeding juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta) in a laboratory stream. Temperatures ranged between 5.7 °C and 14 °C. We found significant effects of water temperature on prey capture probability and capture manoeuvre time. The mean capture probability dropped from 96% at 14 °C to 53% at 5.7 °C. At 8 °C and higher temperatures, foraging performances did not differ much among treatments. We suggest that reduced swimming ability could be one of the most important mechanisms for the observed pattern of reduced prey capture probability at cold water temperatures, but prey detection limitations and predator avoidance may play a role. Our results will be of use for bioenergetics‐based drift‐foraging models, which to date have not incorporated a temperature‐dependent prey capture function.