The Genetic Architecture of Migration Related Traits in Oncorhynchus mykiss

While migration plays a critical role in the evolution and diversification of species relatively little is known of the genetic architecture underlying this trait. Herein we perform a QTL analysis of 27 migration related traits in an experimental cross derived from wild rainbow and steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from Southeastern Alaska that segregate for migratory life history. In total 37 QTL are localized to 19 unique QTL positions. One QTL region on rainbow trout chromosome five (Omy5) has been implicated in several studies of adaptive life histories within this species and could represent a master genetic switch.