Risk-taking behavior in weight-compensating coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch

The effects of food restriction on predation risk-taking behaviorwere studied in juvenile coho salmon, Oncorhyndtus kisutch,during the period before seawater migration in the spring. Aradiographic technique enabled the study of individual foodintake in a safe and risky food patch before and after exposureto a piscivorous predator. The study revealed a significantincrease in food intake and specific growth rate in the weeksfollowing deprivation, resulting in compensatory growth anda recovery of the weight loss caused by dietary restriction.The increase in food intake resulted from a change in risk-takingbehavior. Following a period of diet restriction, the fish habituatedfalter after predator exposure, and the proportion of fish inthe risky patch was significantly higher than before deprivation.Deprived fish took greater shares of the group meal comparedwith control fish, and the pattern of the individual share ofthe group meal after food restriction indicated a change inthe social hierarchy. This study indicates that risk-takingbehavior is state dependent and changes temporarily to compensatefor a period of food restriction. The results are discussedin terms of tradeoffs between food and risk in a period leadingup to an ontogenetic habitat shift.     

Selection on breeding date and body size in colonizing coho salmon,Oncorhynchus kisutch

Selection during the colonization of new habitat is critical to the process of local adaptation, but has rarely been studied. We measured the form, direction, and strength of selection on body size and date of arrival to the breeding grounds over the first three cohorts (2003–2005) of a coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) population colonizing 33 km of habitat made accessible by modification of Landsburg Diversion Dam, on the Cedar River, Washington, USA. Salmon were sampled as they bypassed the dam, parentage was assigned based on genotypes from 10 microsatellite loci, and standardized selection gradients were calculated using the number of returning adult offspring as the fitness metric. Larger fish in both sexes produced more adult offspring, and the magnitude of the effect increased in subsequent years for males, suggesting that low densities attenuated traditional size‐biased intrasexual competition. For both sexes, directional selection favoured early breeders in 2003, but stabilizing selection on breeding date was observed in 2004 and 2005. Adults that arrived, and presumably bred, early produced stream‐rearing juvenile offspring that were larger at a common date than offspring from later parents, providing a possible mechanism linking breeding date to offspring viability. Comparison to studies employing similar methodology indicated selection during colonization was strong, particularly with respect to reproductive timing. Finally, female mean reproductive success exceeded that needed for replacement in all years so the population expanded in the first generation, demonstrating that salmon can proficiently exploit vacant habitat.     

Growth hormone and seawater adaptation in coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch

1. Effects of growth hormone (GH) were examined on short-term aspects of seawater adaptation in coho salmon smolts. 2. Injection of somatostatin (SRIF) immediately prior to seawater entry suppressed plasma GH levels, but did not have any significant effects at 6 or 12 hr on hematocrits, plasma glucose or plasma Na+ levels. 3. Plasma GH levels increased 250% within 36 hr after seawater exposure. 4. Plasma glucose levels, in contrast, were significantly lower in the seawater fish after 36 hr post-exposure. 5. Plasma Na+ levels increased to 190 mEq/1 by 24 hr but subsequently returned to freshwater levels while hematocrits showed no significant changes over the 72 hr of exposure. 6. The significance of these results is discussed in terms of successful seawater adaptation in coho salmon.     

Secondary sexual characters and sperm traits in coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch

A study was undertaken to examine secondary sexual characters (spawning colouration and overall body size) in relation to sperm metrics in one alternative reproductive tactic of coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch : large hooknose males that spawn in dominance-based hierarchies. Males with less intense red spawning colouration had higher sperm velocities than males with darker red spawning colouration. There was no relationship between male body size and sperm metrics. These results suggest that within an alternative reproductive tactic, variation in sperm competition intensity may select for a trade-off between investment in sexual colouration and sperm quality.     

Selection on increased intrinsic growth rates in coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch

Substantial evidence from the animal kingdom shows that there is a trade-off between benefits and costs associated with rapid somatic growth. One would therefore expect growth rates under natural conditions to be close to an evolutionary optimum. Nevertheless, natural selection in many salmonid species appears to be toward larger size and earlier emergence from spawning redds, indicating a potential for increased growth rate to evolve. We tested how selection for genetic variants (growth hormone transgenic coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, with more than doubled daily growth rate potential relative to wild genotypes) depended on predator timing and food abundance during the early period of life (fry stage). In artificial redds, fry of the fast-growing genotypes showed a highly significant developmental shift, emerging from gravel nests approximately two weeks sooner, but with an 18.6% reduced survival, relative to wild-genotype fry. In seminatural streams, fry of the fast-growing genotypes suffered higher predation than those of wild genotypes when predators were present at the time of fry emergence, but this difference was less pronounced when food was scarce. In streams where predators were introduced after emergence, fry survived equally well regardless of food availability. Surviving fry grew faster in habitats provided with more food, and fast-growing genotypes also grew faster than wild genotypes when predators arrived late and food was abundant. Fewer fish migrated downstream past a waterfall when food availability was high and in the presence of predators, and wild-genotype fry were more likely to migrate than fry of the fast-growing genotypes. After being returned to the experimental streams after migration, fast-growing genotypes survived equally well as those of the same genotypes that did not migrate, whereas migrating wild genotypes experienced higher mortality relative to those of the same genotypes that did not migrate. Comparisons of growth rates between siblings retained under hatchery conditions and those from habitats with the fastest growth in the experimental stream revealed that growth rates were similar for wild genotypes in both environments, whereas the fast-growing genotypes in the streams only realized 90% of their growth potential. The present study has shown that a major shift in developmental timing can alter critical early stages affecting survival and can have a significant effect on fitness. Furthermore, ecological conditions such as food abundance and predation pressure can strongly influence the potential for fast-growing variants to survive under natural conditions. The large-scale removal of many predatory species around the world may augment the evolution of increased intrinsic growth rates in some taxa.     

Induced thermotolerance and tissue Hsc70 in juvenile coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch

We examined Hsc70 in gill, liver and caudal fin from coho salmon ( Oncorhynchus kisutch ) before (ambient, ~12 °C) and after a sublethal heat shock of 25 °C for 1 h. Increased levels were observed for at least 48 h in all three tissues. Attempts to demonstrate isoforms of this heat-shock protein were not successful using four different antibodies. However, one of these antibodies recognized isoforms in brine shrimp and oysters, two organisms in which the heat-shock response has been well characterized. Extracts of those organisms and coho salmon tissues were run on the same gels and evaluated on the same Western blots, at the same time. We believe that our results provide a reliable account of Hsc70 in these fish under these conditions. Limited experiments showed that induced thermotolerance was achieved in these coho salmon, lasting for about 1 week after the sublethal heat shock. These data suggest that increased levels of Hsc70 are correlated with induced thermotolerance in these fish.     

Discovery and characterization of single nucleotide polymorphisms in coho salmon,Oncorhynchus kisutch

Molecular population genetic analyses have become an integral part of ecological investigation and population monitoring for conservation and management. Microsatellites have been the molecular marker of choice for such applications over the last several decades, but single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers are rapidly expanding beyond model organisms. Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) is native to the north Pacific Ocean and its tributaries, where it is the focus of intensive fishery and conservation activities. As it is an anadromous species, coho salmon typically migrate across multiple jurisdictional boundaries, complicating management and requiring shared data collection methods. Here, we describe the discovery and validation of a suite of novel SNPs and associated genotyping assays which can be used in the genetic analyses of this species. These assays include 91 that are polymorphic in the species and one that discriminates it from a sister species, Chinook salmon. We demonstrate the utility of these SNPs for population assignment and phylogeographic analyses, and map them against the draft trout genome. The markers constitute a large majority of all SNP markers described for coho salmon and will enable both population‐ and pedigree‐based analyses across the southern part of the species native range.     

Clearance of plasma corticosteroids during smoltification of coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch

The plasma clearance rate (PCR) of radioactivity after a single intracardial injection of 3H-cortisol was elevated during the spring in yearling coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch. Graphical analysis suggested a seasonal correlation between PCR and gill Na/K-ATPase activity. An explanation for this correlation is suggested. The major metabolite of 3H-cortisol in plasma was 3H-cortisone. It appeared rapidly following injection of the original radiotracer.     

Ontogeny of the olfacto-retinalis projection in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

Filling of nucleus olfacto-retinalis neurons by cobaltous lysine injections into one eye of coho salmon of different ages revealed that the terminal nerve projection to the retina is established when the fish leave their freshwater environment. At this time salmons go through a metamorphosis termed "smoltification." FMRF-amide-like immunoreactive neurons in the nucleus olfacto-retinalis already exist in pre-smolts before the retino-petal projection is established. Thus, for the first time in any vertebrate, a projection of the terminal nerve is shown to develop during an advanced ontogenetic state.     

Epizootiology and histopathology of Parvicapsula sp. in coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch

The epizootiology and histopathology of the myxosporean Parvicapsula sp. was studied during monthly health surveys of 4 groups of coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch at a commercial farm in Puget Sound, Washington, USA, from 1984 to 1986. No Parvicapsula sp. was detected in histological samples taken from juvenile fish in fresh water, but the parasite was detected in fish from all groups 2 to 8 mo after transfer to seawater net pens. Groups placed in seawater net pens in November and December had a higher prevalence of infection, and a longer period of continuous detected infection, than those introduced into net pens in May. For the groups transferred to seawater in November and December, the highest infection prevalence (45 to 90%) was detected during the following March and April. Among 13 tissues examined histologically, only the pseudobranch and kidney were positive for Parvicapsula sp., with 26 (62%) of 42 positive fish showing infections only in the pseudobranch, 5 (12%) showing infections only in the kidney, and 11 (26%) showing infections in both organs. Both the pseudobranch and kidney were apparent primary infection sites, but pseudobranch infections appeared to persist longer in a population. Pseudobranch infections were frequently heavy and associated with extensive inflammation and necrosis of filament and lamellar tissues. The kidney had been the only infection site reported for Parvicapsula sp. in previous studies of coho salmon.     

Genetics of size and growth rate through sexual maturity in freshwater-reared coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

Genetic parameters of size through sexual maturity have been relatively unexplored for Pacific salmon. In this study, individually tagged coho salmon were raised in freshwater, and the heritabilities of size and growth rate were estimated at several intervals between 13 and 24 months of age (spawning). Heritability estimates for size were moderate to high from 13 to 19 months of age, ranging from 0.36 to 0.50, and lower from 21 months to spawning at 24 months, ranging from 0.17 to 0.32. Heritabilities of specific growth rates estimated over 3-month intervals were moderate from 16 to 21 months of age, ranging from 0.21 to 0.34. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between sizes measured at different ages were moderate to high, ranging from about 0.7 to 1.0. Correlations between growth rate and size indicated that the larger fish were the fastest growing between 16 and 19 months of age and were slower growing between 19 and 21 months of age.     

Interspecific relationships between emerging Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, and coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, juveniles

Interspecific relationships between Atlantic salmon and coho salmon were studied at early life stages in laboratory and semi-natural stream channels. During emergence, the survival and dispersal patterns were similar for the two species in single or mixed populations. Survival of Atlantic salmon fry was reduced in the presence of older coho fry. However, no predation was observed. Microdistribution differed between the two species, with Atlantic salmon fry more numerous in riffles when coho were present.
Coho juveniles had a pelagic and gregarious distribution, in contrast to the benthic behaviour of the Atlantic salmon. In laboratory streams, Atlantic salmon fry moved out or adopted a subordinate cryptic behaviour which allowed them to escape predation while negatively affecting their growth.     

Pheromones and the water source preferences of adult coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch Walbaum

It has been proposed that population-specific pheromones released by juvenile salmonids guide the adults on their homing migration (Nordeng, 1977). To evaluate this hypothesis, adult coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch , were tested in a two-choice apparatus with a variety of water sources. Coho salmon preferred home water without coho odours over an unfamiliar water source (city water). Adults preferred water conditioned by juveniles of their own population over plain city water, but did not prefer water conditioned by juveniles of their own population over that of another.     

Gastric evacuation rates and daily ration of piscivorous coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch Walbaum

Effects of temperature and meal size on gastric evacuation rates of juvenile coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch , consuming sockeye salmon, O. nerka , fry were examined and used in the estimation of daily meal, daily ration and number of fry consumed by coho in Chignik Lake, Alaska. Evacuation of fry by coho was best described by a negative exponential model (average R² = 0.93). A square root model also provided a good fit (average R² = 0·93), but the y-intercepts deviated more from the expected value than did the y-intercepts of the exponential model. The effect of temperature ( T , 5–13° C) and meal size (MS, 0·166–0·367 g) on the exponential evacuation rate (r_e, h^-1) could be described as
In the lake, coho fed continuously during the 24-h period in early June 1986 and 1987. Estimates of daily meal and ration of coho calculated by the Eggers method and the geometric mean of prey weight ranged from 0·224 to 0·435 g (2.1–4.4% body wt) depending on location and year. The Elliott & Persson method provided similar estimates of food consumption, whereas estimates based on the Pennington method and square root evacuation of prey differed from the exponential models. Sockeye fry represented 93% of the total prey weight. The average number of sockeye fry consumed per coho per 24 h, based on the arithmetic mean of prey weight, was 3·0–3·9 fry.     

Gastric evacuation of single and multiple meals by piscivorous coho salmon,Oncorhynchus kisutch

Synopsis Gastric evacuation of multiple meals of recently emerged sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka, consumed by juvenile coho salmon, O. kisutch, were compared with that expected from a single meal evacuation rate model developed for the estimation of food consumption by coho in the field. Significant interaction occurred between meals consumed two hours apart (p<0.001). Evacuation of the first of two meals (29.9% of initial weight remaining) was significantly faster (p<0.05) than that of a single meal (36.1% of initial weight remaining) after four hours, whereas evacuation of the second meal (72.2% of initial weight remaining) was significantly slower (p<0.001) than that of single meals (50.6% of initial weight remaining) after two hours. The total weight of the multiple meal remaining after four (0.191 g), six (0.138 g) and eight (0.070 g) hours averaged within 6% of that predicted by the single meal evacuation model (0.186 g, 0.115 g and 0.073 g, respectively). These data suggest that the stomach evacuation model based on single meals is adequate for estimating the evacuation of prey consumed by continuously feeding coho salmon.     

Characterization of Phase I biotransformation enzymes in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

Wild stocks of Pacific salmon in the Northwestern United States have declined in recent years, and the major factors contributing to these losses include water pollution and loss of habitat. In salmon, sublethal chemical exposures may impact critical behaviors (such as homing, feeding, predator-avoidance) that are important for species survival. Therefore, understanding the potential for these species to biotransform organic compounds within sensitive target tissues such as liver, gills and olfactory region can help estimate or predict their susceptibility to pollutants. In this study, we used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR), Western blotting, and catalytic assays to characterize the expression of Phase I biotransformation enzymes in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), a sensitive species in the Pacific Northwest. Gene expression analysis using Q-PCR assays developed for coho genes revealed the presence of the predominant cytochrome P450 mRNAs (CYP1A, CYP2K1, CYP2M1, CYP3A27) in the olfactory rosettes and provided quantitative mRNA expression levels in coho liver and gills. Q-PCR analysis revealed relatively high expression of the major CYP isoforms in the liver and olfactory rosettes, which was generally confirmed by Western blotting. Extrahepatic CYP expression was generally higher in the olfactory rosettes as compared to the gills. Catalytic studies demonstrated functional CYP1A-dependent ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase, CYP2-dependent pentoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase, CYP2K1-dependent testosterone 16beta-hydroxylase, and CYP3A27-dependent testosterone 6beta-hydroxylase activities in liver, but not at detectable levels in gills. In contrast, flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO)-dependent thiourea S-oxidase activity was readily observed in the gills and was substantially higher than that observed in liver. Collectively, the results of this study suggest that the olfactory rosettes are important sites of extrahepatic biotransformation in coho salmon, and that tissue specific-differences in Phase I metabolism may lead to contrasting tissue-specific biotransformation capabilities in this species.     

Disease resistance and health parameters of growth-hormone transgenic and wild-type coho salmon,Oncorhynchus kisutch

To extend previous findings regarding fish health and disease susceptibility of growth-enhanced fish, hematological and immunological parameters have been compared between growth hormone (GH) transgenic and wild-type non-transgenic coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). Compared to non-transgenic coho salmon, transgenic fish had significantly higher hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), mean cellular hemoglobin (MCH), mean cellular volume (MCV), and erythrocyte numbers, and lower white cell numbers. In addition, resistance to the bacterial pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida (causal agent of furunculosis) has been assessed between the strains. Higher susceptibility of transgenic fish to this disease challenge was observed in two separate year classes of fish. The present findings provide fundamental knowledge of the disease resistance on GH enhanced transgenic coho salmon, which is of importance for assessing the fitness of transgenic strains for environmental risk assessments, and for improving our understanding effects of growth modification on basic immune functions.