Population Structure and Stock Identification of Steelhead in Southern British Columbia, Washington, and the Columbia River Based on Microsatellite DNA Variation

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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to describe population structure and determine the potential for genetic stock identification for steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss in British Columbia using microsatellite DNA markers. Variation at eight microsatellite DNA loci (Oki200, Omy77, Ots1, Ots3, Ssa85, Ots100, Ots103, and Ots108) was surveyed in approximately 1,500 steelhead from 22 populations in southern British Columbia, Washington, and the Columbia River drainage as well as in more than 450 steelhead from two commercial salmon fisheries conducted off the southwest coast of Vancouver Island. Nine populations were sampled for two or more years, and variation in allele frequencies among populations and regions was, on average, about 3.7 times greater than annual variation within populations. Regional structuring of populations was apparent, with Thompson River, upper Fraser River, and Columbia River populations forming distinct groups. Significant differences in allele frequencies were observed among regional...