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Migration timing genotype as a predictor of salmon vulnerability to environmental change

Project description

The genetic basis underlying the timing of salmon migration

The migrations of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from the river of their birth to their marine feeding grounds and back again are an iconic example of seasonally timed movements in a species. The EU-funded SAL-MOVE project will collate existing datasets and apply state-of-the-art genomic analysis to determine the environmental effects and genetic basis of Atlantic salmon migration timing. The findings will be combined with future climate scenarios in an eco-evolutionary modelling framework to predict how Atlantic salmon populations will be impacted by anthropogenic change via their migration phenotypes and genotypes. Results from SAL-MOVE will directly inform management actions aimed at improving the security of wild Atlantic salmon.

Objective

As the global environment changes, species are increasingly suffering mismatches between their seasonally timed movements and the conditions that they encounter. The long-distance migrations of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from their natal rivers to their marine feeding grounds and back again are a charismatic example of such seasonally timed movements. The timings of both the outward and return migrations are heritable, and vary substantially within and among populations, likely reflecting selection to enter the marine environment when survival conditions are optimal and return to the freshwater when breeding success is maximized. Importantly, salmon cannot observe the conditions at their destination and must rely on proximate cues, in particular photoperiod, to schedule their migration. Globally, salmon migrations have advanced over recent decades, suggesting that phenological mismatch could be a factor in ongoing Atlantic salmon declines.

How and whether a species can adjust its migratory timing to match new conditions depends on the underlying genetic architecture of this timing. SAL-MOVE will establish a global collaborative network of salmon researchers, collate existing datasets, and apply state-of-the-art genomic analysis to characterize the environmental correlates and genetic basis of Atlantic salmon migration timing throughout its range. This information will be combined with future climate scenarios in an eco-evolutionary modelling framework to predict how Atlantic salmon populations will be impacted by anthropogenic change via their migration phenotypes and genotypes. Results from SAL-MOVE will be used to directly guide management actions intended to increase the security of wild Atlantic salmon.

Keywords

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Topic(s)

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MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 258 498,24
Address
OLD PERTH ROAD
IV2 3JH INVERNESS
United Kingdom

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Region
Scotland Highlands and Islands Inverness & Nairn and Moray, Badenoch & Strathspey
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 258 498,24

Partners (1)

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