We will hybridize fish from geographically distal populations, conduct breeding experiments to estimate the genetic components in development rate, measure bilateral asymmetry as an index of relative developmental stability, and determine survival as defined by returns to the stream of incubation and release. The experiment will be repeated in both brood years. Some actions can change the genetic structure of naturally evolved populations and can alter or even remove natural reproductive barriers. Theory predicts that removal of such barriers can result in outbreeding depression which leads to loss of fitness and productivity of a population. Rational resource management must know if the theory is correct, in which situations outbreeding depression might occur, and the magnitude of the effect.
Information concerning the genetic impact of cultured fish on wild stocks is generally unavailable.
However, such information is essential to the future of salmonid and other resources. These experiments will provide crucial information for enhancement and management decisions. We will produce F 1 and F 2 hybrids between female pink salmon from Auke Creek near Juneau, Alaska, and males from Pillar Creek on Kodiak Island and Auke Creek controls. We will differentially mark hybrids and controls and estimate their survival to return. In addition, by making the control and hybrid crosses using a factorial design, we will analyze the quantitative genetics of development rate and pre-release survival and estimate nonadditive and additive genetic effects attributable to the nature of the crosses.