The Evolutionary Basis of Premature Migration in Pacific Salmon Highlights the Utility of Genomics for Informing Conservation

Dr. Michael Miller 
Faculty, Department of Animal Science, UC Davis 

Dr. Michael Miller has been researching how genetics can be used to understand variations in natural populations, and how that information can be used to inform conservation strategies. He has studied various salmonid species – such as steelhead and Chinook salmon – of Oregon and Northern California. Dr. Miller first explains how the Endangered Species Act works in terms of genetic groups within a species. He then explains how steelhead and salmon populations, while sharing the same genetic relationships within each species, become adapted to the condition of specific rivers. He states that one approach to preservation of salmonid species is to think in terms of conservation units – that is, the protection of each local adaptation.

Recorded: February 17, 2017