Genetic Relationships of Elwha River Oncorhynchus mykiss to Hatchery-Origin Rainbow Trout and Washington Steelhead

摘要

We used allozyme electrophoresis to determine the ancestry of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, from seven locations in the Elwha River Basin. O. mykiss in these areas have been isolated from anadromous steelhead since the early 1900's by two mainstem dams. Elwha River rainbow trout, the resident form of O. mykiss, may be descendants of native rainbow trout, native steelhead, or these fish may be derived from the numerous plants of hatchery-origin rainbow trout and cutthroat, O. clarki, that have occurred in the Elwha River. The pending removal of both dams will re-establish anadromous fish access to the watershed.