Testing Molecular and Otolith Tools to Investigate Population of Origin and Migration in Arctic Cisco Found in the Colville River, Alaska
The goal of this project is to develop tools and test the efficiency and rigor of two scientific approaches, molecular genetics and otolith microchemistry, to address questions about origin of Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis) in the Colville River.Abstract
This project aims to develop tools and test the efficiency and rigor of two scientific approaches, molecular genetics and otolith microchemistry, to address six questions specific to Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis) in the Colville River: 1) Can we assign Arctic cisco from the Colville River back to population of origin with high confidence? 2) What are the genetic relationships among Colville River source populations? 3) Is there year-to-year variation among Arctic cisco stocks recruiting to the Colville River? 4) Has growth in Arctic cisco decreased over recent time? "Growth" in this case refers to a comparison of yearly mean annual growth among individual fish within a population determined from otolith correlates for growth, i.e. has the standardized growth by age class changed over time. This does not refer to population growth or the numbers of fish found in a population. However, the two metrics may not be independent since density dependent relationships and prey availability affect individuals as well as populations size. 5) Have migration routes to and from coastal habitats changed in Arctic cisco? 6) Can growth inferred from otoliths be used as an indicator of changes in diet over time? Arctic cisco or "Qaaktaq" are an important subsistence resource for the village of Nuiqsut, Alaska. Subsistence users have expressed concern over declines in harvests and size of Arctic cisco from the Colville River. Issues concerning population of origin, life history and recruitment variation over time, and changes in migration and diet of Arctic cisco ranked high in a list of critical research elements developed by the local community in a workshop hosted by Minerals Management Servie (MMS) in Nuiqsut, November 18-20, 2003.
Products
Contacts
Nielsen, Jennifer , 907-786-7062Zimmerman, Christian , 907-786-7071
Status: completed
Start Year: 2006
End Year: 2011