Hatcheries Change Salmon Genetics After a Single Generation

Paul G · #1 by **Paul G** » Jan 10, 2012 6:55 pm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 152508.htm

The impact of hatcheries on salmonids is so profound that in just one generation traits are selected that allow fish to survive and prosper in the hatchery environment, at the cost of their ability to thrive and reproduce in a wild environment.

natselrox · #2 by **natselrox** » Jan 10, 2012 7:00 pm

Paul G wrote:
The impact of hatcheries on salmonids is so profound that in just one generation traits are selected that allow fish to survive and prosper in the hatchery environment, at the cost of their ability to thrive and reproduce in a wild environment.

That statement seems to be straight out of Capt. Obvious' Manual! :lol:

Couldn't resist!

Paul G · #3 by **Paul G** » Jan 10, 2012 7:04 pm

Why is it?

natselrox · #4 by **natselrox** » Jan 10, 2012 7:32 pm

I think that's what environments are supposed to do, ain't it? Try replacing 'hatcheries' with 'New York City' and salmonids with humans...

The impact of New York City on humans is so profound that in just one generation traits are selected that allow humans to survive and prosper in the city environment, at the cost of their ability to thrive and reproduce in another environment.

There is no way to increase the amount of mutation, so I guess the statement is equally valid for any environment and for any species.

Paul G · #5 by **Paul G** » Jan 10, 2012 11:16 pm

The important part is "in one generation".

trubble76 · #6 by **trubble76** » Jan 10, 2012 11:27 pm

Yes, I don't think we are talking about behavioural adaptions, genetic change occurring so quickly is staggering. I suppose that it is domestication, but much quicker than I thought possible.

Spearthrower · #7 by **Spearthrower** » Jan 11, 2012 2:12 am

Well, the need to swim hundreds of miles, throw yourself up a river, spawn then die is rather... costly, all things considered.

natselrox · #8 by **natselrox** » Jan 11, 2012 4:22 am

trubble76 wrote:Yes, I don't think we are talking about behavioural adaptions, genetic change occurring so quickly is staggering. I suppose that it is domestication, but much quicker than I thought possible.

Genetic change is occurring at the same speed as in any other place/time (roughly). It is the drastic change in environment that is causing the bottleneck effect of sorts.

Paul G wrote:The important part is "in one generation".

Unless you quantify the amount of traits selected, that means nothing. In every species, and in every generation, traits are selected that help them to thrive in the environment.

I think the rest of the article does a good job at explaining the whole thing, just that the first sentence sounds a bit "meh".