A Latitudinal Cline In The Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha) Clock Gene

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Also Included In: Veterinary;  Genetics
Article Date: 20 Aug 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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A critical seasonal event for Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) is the time at which adults migrate from the ocean to breed in freshwater.

To investigate whether the circadian rhythm genes, OtsClock1a and OtsClock1b influence the timing of this event, we screened for variation in the polyglutamine domain among 42 populations ranging from California to Alaska. We found evidence for a strong latitudinal cline in OtsClock1b allele frequency.

Comparison to data from neutral microsatellite loci suggests that this cline is maintained by selection and may reflect an adaptation to ecological factors correlated with latitude, such as the seasonally-changing day length.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Proceedings B is the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences