Decoding Cryptic Population Structures using Stable Isotope Markers

摘要: Life-history diversity has been shown to contribute to the resilience of species but can be challenging to quantify, particularly where intra-population genetic structure is lacking. Such is the case for salmon within many fisheries of the North American Pacific Northwest, where the resolution of genetic markers is variable and limited. For Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) within the US-Canada transboundary Taku Watershed, for example, single-nucleotide polymorphisms have successfully distinguished populations associated with specific inland lakes but allocates many individuals to an undifferentiated “River Type” stock. The extent and dynamics of geographic structure within this stock, and thus its potential contribution to the fishery’s resilience, remain unresolved.In such cases, intrinsic non-genetic markers that record key aspects of life history, such as the isotope ratios of body tissues, can provide valuable …