Data from: Patterns of intra- and inter-population genetic diversity in Alaskan coho salmon: implications for conservation

Little is known about the genetic diversity of coho salmon in Alaska,
although this area represents half of the species’ North American range.
In this study, nine microsatellite loci were used to genotype 32 putative
coho salmon populations from seven regions of Alaska. The primary
objectives were to estimate and evaluate the degree and spatial
distribution of neutral genetic diversity within and among populations of
Alaskan coho salmon. Genetic analysis yielded four results that provide
insight into forces influencing genetic diversity in Alaskan coho salmon
and have important conservation implications: 1) significant population
differentiation was found within each region; 2) the degree of
differentiation (FST = 0.099) among populations was as large or larger
than that reported for other Pacific salmon species in Alaska; 3) phenetic
clustering of populations showed weak geographic concordance; 4) strong
genetic isolation by distance was only apparent at the finest geographic
scale (within a drainage). These results suggest that coho salmon
populations are small relative to populations of other Pacific salmon, and
the genetic diversity within and among coho salmon populations is
influenced primarily by genetic drift, and not gene flow. Resource
management and conservation actions affecting coho salmon in Alaska must
recognize that the populations are generally small, isolated, and probably
exhibit local adaptation to different spawning and freshwater rearing
habitats. These factors justify managing and conserving Alaskan coho
salmon at a fine geographic scale.