Líffræðifélag Íslands - biologia.is
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2019
Erindi/veggspjald / Talk/poster V44
Höfundar / Authors: Lieke Ponsioen (1), Jónína H. Ólafsdóttir (2), Kalina H. Kapralova (1)
Starfsvettvangur / Affiliations: 1. University of Iceland, 2. Marine and Freshwater Institute
Kynnir / Presenter: Lieke Ponsioen
Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) populated lake Thingvallavatn soon after the lake’s formation following the last Ice Age around 10,000 years ago. Since then it has diverged into four distinct morphs differing in morphology, life history, and feeding habits. Arctic charr is important as an evolutionary model for scientific research and is one of the few native fish species of Iceland. Around October each year three morphs of Arctic charr (i.e. planktivorous, small benthic, piscivorous) spawn in Svínanes, but it is unknown to what extent they spatially overlap in the spawning areas. Gill net surveys during September and October 2017-2018 have shown in what areas mature Arctic charr can be found, but the precise location of the redds (Arctic charr nests) of each morph is still unknown. An exploratory dive was conducted during the 2018 spawning season and Arctic charr eggs were discovered over a much smaller area than first observed during the gill net surveys. During a second dive in December, Arctic charr embryos were collected at different areas of the spawning grounds. We are currently developing a genotyping platform using KASP assays which will be used to determine where exactly each one of the three morphs spawns. Once established, this genotyping platform will have potential for broader applications such as determining whether aquaculture fish escapees are interbreeding with natural populations.