The use of albinism to verify gynogenesis and to investigate the viability and growth rates of inbred chinook salmon Oncorhynchus Tschawytscha
Date
1994
Authors
Carswell, Barron Lance
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Abstract
Distinction of possible pleiotropic and inbreeding effects on albino chinook salmon produced from full-sib mating were determined by comparing the viability and growth of albinos with outbred wild-type half-siblings. Phenotypes of crosses between wild-type and albino chinook salmon demonstrate that the allele responsible for albinism in Big Qualicum chinook salmon is recessive. Analysis of growth showed differences between pigment types in freshwater and saltwater phases of culture. Albinos were significantly heavier than their wild-type half-sibs by Day 448 of culture. Albinism had no negative pleiotropic effect on growth for the duration of the study, however increased mortality was evident in both saltwater and freshwater culture. Albino fry exhibited a higher frequency of deformities than wild-type fry. Experiments to produce gynogenetic chinook using albinism as confirmation of purely maternal genetic contribution in offspring were successful. Albino offspring were produced by fertilising albino eggs with ultraviolet (U.V.) treated wild-type sperm and applying pressure shocks of 3 to 6 minutes duration at both 30-40 minutes and 300-330 minutes after fertilisation. The gynogenetic origin of these offspring was confirmed with Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA.