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Article
Marine Growth and Morphometrics for Three Populations of Atlantic Salmon from Eastern Maine, USA
Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Faculty Publications
  • Timothy F. Sheehan
  • John F. Kocik
  • Steven X. Cadrin
  • Christopher M. Legault
  • Ernest Atkinson
  • David A. Bengtson, University of Rhode Island
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
1-1-2005
Abstract


Significant differences in growth and prespawning body morphology were detected among three stocks of Atlantic salmon reared in a common marine environment. Smolts originating from river-specific broodstock of the Machias, East Machias, and Dennys populations were reared at two marine net-pen facilities for 25 months. Significant differences in stock-specific growth were observed among two stocks at both sites, suggesting a genetic basis for the observed phenotypic variation. There was a significant stock effect to the total measured phenotypic variation based on collected truss network analyses. Linear discriminant function analysis of a truss network of morphometric distances allowed for 73% accuracy of stock classification. A thin-plate spline procedure characterized the Machias body form as having a shortened narrow caudal peduncle region, a compressed body with an elongated trunk, and a deeper head region relative to the other two stocks. Phenotypic variation may be associated with hydrological characteristics of the Machias watershed.

Citation Information

Sheehan , T. F., Kocik , J. F., Cadrin, S. X., Legault, C. M., Ernest Atkinson, E., & Bengtson, D. A. (2005). Marine Growth and Morphometrics for Three Populations of Atlantic Salmon from Eastern Maine, USA. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 134(3), 775-788. doi: 10.1577/T04-067.1

Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1577/T04-067.1