Ecological genetics: introductory note

Abstract– The eight papers resulting from the Ecological Genetics session of the symposium Ecology of Stream Fish: State of the Art and Future Prospects (Luarca, Spain, April 1998) describe the use of molecular genetic markers to investigate questions of population distinctness, interbreeding, and adaptation in five salmonid species. Widely contrasting ecological distinctions described in four species indigenous to western North America steelhead (rainbow) trout, sockeye salmon, pink salmon and bull trout] reflect past natural and human-induced activities, serving to guide future management and conservation actions through optimizing adaptive opportunities, and preventing genetic losses through localized extinctions. Studies of brown trout contrast widespread introgressions from exogenous hatchery introductions that threaten the integrity of native Spanish populations with a reduced threat based on use of indigenous fish in Portuguese hatcheries. A 9-year study of natural progeny of two genetically distinct Swedish brown trout populations introduced to a previously trout-free area identifies apparent local adaptations as a model to guide other translocations.