Patterns of Genetic Diversity in Alaskan Coho Salmon

Genetic baselines can be used to reveal population structure, perform mixed-stock analysis (MSA), infer the population origin of individuals and characterize patterns of ocean migration in North American and Asian salmon. Extensive genetic baselines have been developed for chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), chum (O. keta), and sockeye salmon (O. nerka) using allozyme loci. Unfortunately, allozymes show little variation in coho salmon (O. kisutch), particularly in Alaska. In this study, we used nine microsatellite loci to genotype 32 putative coho salmon populations (N = 2,581) from seven regions of Alaska. The objectives were to: 1) estimate the degree and spatial distribution of neutral genetic diversity in Alaskan coho salmon; 2) evaluate the potential for regional-level mixed- stocked analysis and individual assignment. Fin tissue samples for microsatellite analysis were obtained from 32 collections of coho salmon representing