A spawning Yukon River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) captured near Pilot Station, Alaska, in June 2018 as part of an experimental temperature manipulation study to validate heat stress biomarkers.
Assessing heat stress in migrating Yukon River Chinook Salmon
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By Alaska Science Center
April 22, 2025
We will examine evidence of heat stress in Yukon River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) using heat shock proteins and gene expression.
Return to Ecosystems >> Fish and Aquatic Ecology
Yukon River Chinook salmon have been in decline since the 1990s for unknown causes and the pace of decline has recently accelerated. Heat stress during spawning migration has the potential to cause significant prespawn mortality of adult fish.
- Two biomarkers will be used to assess the presence of heat stress in Yukon River Chinook salmon, the concentration of a specific heat shock protein (HSP70) associated with stress and the expression (i.e., transcription) of genes involved with thermal stress and physiological pathways affected by thermal stress.
- Fish will be collected during the spawning migration at established monitoring sites throughout the Yukon River watershed including test fisheries at Emmonak and Eagle, weirs on tributaries (East Fork Andreafsky River and Gisasa River), and a subsistence fish wheel near Tanana.
- A short (<48 h) manipulative temperature experiment will distinguish baseline protein and gene expression levels in fish held at a cooler control temperature from fish held at temperatures associated with low (18 °C) and high (21 °C) heat stress.
The potential influence of migration timing, age, and size on the presence of stress indicators will also be evaluated. The results of this study will be used to assess the likelihood of increases in freshwater adult mortality and reduced reproductive success from heat stress. If heat stress indicators are present, managers may adjust escapement goals to compensate for the likelihood of higher prespawn mortality rates.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Media
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Fish and Aquatic Ecology
Fish and aquatic habitats in Alaska support important commercial, sport, and subsistence fisheries and provide forage fish that support wildlife populations. The USGS Alaska Science Center conducts interdisciplinary research to inform local, state, federal, and international policy makers regarding conservation of fish, aquatic species, and their habitats. We work collaboratively with hydrologists...
Nearshore Fish Surveys in the Beaufort Sea
Nearshore systems provide habitat to a unique community of marine and diadromous (lives in both fresh and saltwater) fish and support high fish abundance.
Condition of Forage Fish in Prince William Sound During the Marine Heatwave
Changes in the body condition of a key forage fish species, Pacific sand lance ( Ammodytes personatus), are examined to understand how energy transfer to predators may have been disrupted during the recent marine heatwave in the North Pacific (late 2013 to mid 2016).
Winter Habitat of Juvenile Dolly Varden in the Canning River
In the Arctic, rivers often freeze all the way to the bottom each winter leaving fish with limited habitat where they can survive.
Arctic Lake Food Webs
From 2011 to 2013 we investigated freshwater food webs of Arctic Coastal Plain lakes in Alaska to improve our understanding how Arctic freshwater food webs may respond to landscape change the warmer, drier future.
Ecosystem Shifts in Arctic Seas
In addition to the direct effects of sea ice loss on walrus ( Odobenus rosmarus divergens) and polar bears ( Ursus maritimus) that use ice as a platform, the decline of Arctic sea ice is predicted to promote a fundamental ecosystem shift from benthic animals that forage on the sea floor to pelagic animals that forage near the sea surface.
Lake Trout Biochronologies as Long-term Climate and Productivity Indicators in Alaska Lake Ecosystems
High latitude ecosystems are among the most vulnerable to long-term climate change, yet continuous, multidecadal indicators by which to gauge effects on biology are scarce, especially in freshwater environments.
Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Ecology
Permafrost thaw is leading to a myriad of changes in physical and chemical conditions throughout the Arctic.
Effect of Elodea spp. on Fish Performance Mediated Through Food Web Interactions
The potential for invasive species introductions in Arctic and Subarctic ecosystems is growing as climate change manifests and human activity increases in high latitudes.
Sockeye Salmon Migrating at the Northern Edge of Their Distribution
The physiological challenge for anadromous fish to migrate upriver to spawn and complete their life cycle is influenced by river temperature.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Spawning Yukon River Chinook salmon
A spawning Yukon River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) captured near Pilot Station, Alaska, in June 2018 as part of an experimental temperature manipulation study to validate heat stress biomarkers.
Scientist Preparing to Release Chinook Salmon into Yukon River, AK
Scientist preparing to release Chinook salmon into the Yukon River in Alaska, USA.
Scientist preparing to release Chinook salmon into the Yukon River in Alaska, USA.
Chinook Salmon Released into Yukon River, AK
Chinook salmon released into Yukon River in Alaska, USA.
Chinook salmon released into Yukon River in Alaska, USA.
Chinook salmon muscle biopsy
Chinook salmon restrained in a cradle after non-lethal muscle biopsy sample collection for heat stress assessment at a subsistence fish wheel in the Yukon River during July 2017. The muscle biopsy location looks like one of the black spots on the back of the fish.
Chinook salmon restrained in a cradle after non-lethal muscle biopsy sample collection for heat stress assessment at a subsistence fish wheel in the Yukon River during July 2017. The muscle biopsy location looks like one of the black spots on the back of the fish.
Shannon Waters Releases Chinook Salmon, Alaska
USGS biological science technician Shannon Waters releases a Chinook Salmon into an Alaskan river.
USGS biological science technician Shannon Waters releases a Chinook Salmon into an Alaskan river.
Vanessa von Biela with a Chinook salmon on the Yukon River
Vanessa von Biela with a Chinook salmon on the Yukon River.
Vanessa von Biela with a Chinook salmon on the Yukon River.
Randy Brown adjusts a fish wheel trap on the Yukon River
Randy Brown adjusts a fish wheel trap on the Yukon River that will catch Chinook salmon.
Randy Brown adjusts a fish wheel trap on the Yukon River that will catch Chinook salmon.
Fish drying at a subsistence fish camp along the Yukon River
Fish drying at a subsistence fish camp along the Yukon River.
Fish drying at a subsistence fish camp along the Yukon River.
We will examine evidence of heat stress in Yukon River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) using heat shock proteins and gene expression.
Return to Ecosystems >> Fish and Aquatic Ecology
Yukon River Chinook salmon have been in decline since the 1990s for unknown causes and the pace of decline has recently accelerated. Heat stress during spawning migration has the potential to cause significant prespawn mortality of adult fish.
- Two biomarkers will be used to assess the presence of heat stress in Yukon River Chinook salmon, the concentration of a specific heat shock protein (HSP70) associated with stress and the expression (i.e., transcription) of genes involved with thermal stress and physiological pathways affected by thermal stress.
- Fish will be collected during the spawning migration at established monitoring sites throughout the Yukon River watershed including test fisheries at Emmonak and Eagle, weirs on tributaries (East Fork Andreafsky River and Gisasa River), and a subsistence fish wheel near Tanana.
- A short (<48 h) manipulative temperature experiment will distinguish baseline protein and gene expression levels in fish held at a cooler control temperature from fish held at temperatures associated with low (18 °C) and high (21 °C) heat stress.
The potential influence of migration timing, age, and size on the presence of stress indicators will also be evaluated. The results of this study will be used to assess the likelihood of increases in freshwater adult mortality and reduced reproductive success from heat stress. If heat stress indicators are present, managers may adjust escapement goals to compensate for the likelihood of higher prespawn mortality rates.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Media
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Fish and Aquatic Ecology
Fish and aquatic habitats in Alaska support important commercial, sport, and subsistence fisheries and provide forage fish that support wildlife populations. The USGS Alaska Science Center conducts interdisciplinary research to inform local, state, federal, and international policy makers regarding conservation of fish, aquatic species, and their habitats. We work collaboratively with hydrologists...
Nearshore Fish Surveys in the Beaufort Sea
Nearshore systems provide habitat to a unique community of marine and diadromous (lives in both fresh and saltwater) fish and support high fish abundance.
Condition of Forage Fish in Prince William Sound During the Marine Heatwave
Changes in the body condition of a key forage fish species, Pacific sand lance ( Ammodytes personatus), are examined to understand how energy transfer to predators may have been disrupted during the recent marine heatwave in the North Pacific (late 2013 to mid 2016).
Winter Habitat of Juvenile Dolly Varden in the Canning River
In the Arctic, rivers often freeze all the way to the bottom each winter leaving fish with limited habitat where they can survive.
Arctic Lake Food Webs
From 2011 to 2013 we investigated freshwater food webs of Arctic Coastal Plain lakes in Alaska to improve our understanding how Arctic freshwater food webs may respond to landscape change the warmer, drier future.
Ecosystem Shifts in Arctic Seas
In addition to the direct effects of sea ice loss on walrus ( Odobenus rosmarus divergens) and polar bears ( Ursus maritimus) that use ice as a platform, the decline of Arctic sea ice is predicted to promote a fundamental ecosystem shift from benthic animals that forage on the sea floor to pelagic animals that forage near the sea surface.
Lake Trout Biochronologies as Long-term Climate and Productivity Indicators in Alaska Lake Ecosystems
High latitude ecosystems are among the most vulnerable to long-term climate change, yet continuous, multidecadal indicators by which to gauge effects on biology are scarce, especially in freshwater environments.
Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Ecology
Permafrost thaw is leading to a myriad of changes in physical and chemical conditions throughout the Arctic.
Effect of Elodea spp. on Fish Performance Mediated Through Food Web Interactions
The potential for invasive species introductions in Arctic and Subarctic ecosystems is growing as climate change manifests and human activity increases in high latitudes.
Sockeye Salmon Migrating at the Northern Edge of Their Distribution
The physiological challenge for anadromous fish to migrate upriver to spawn and complete their life cycle is influenced by river temperature.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Spawning Yukon River Chinook salmon
A spawning Yukon River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) captured near Pilot Station, Alaska, in June 2018 as part of an experimental temperature manipulation study to validate heat stress biomarkers.
A spawning Yukon River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) captured near Pilot Station, Alaska, in June 2018 as part of an experimental temperature manipulation study to validate heat stress biomarkers.
Scientist Preparing to Release Chinook Salmon into Yukon River, AK
Scientist preparing to release Chinook salmon into the Yukon River in Alaska, USA.
Scientist preparing to release Chinook salmon into the Yukon River in Alaska, USA.
Chinook Salmon Released into Yukon River, AK
Chinook salmon released into Yukon River in Alaska, USA.
Chinook salmon released into Yukon River in Alaska, USA.
Chinook salmon muscle biopsy
Chinook salmon restrained in a cradle after non-lethal muscle biopsy sample collection for heat stress assessment at a subsistence fish wheel in the Yukon River during July 2017. The muscle biopsy location looks like one of the black spots on the back of the fish.
Chinook salmon restrained in a cradle after non-lethal muscle biopsy sample collection for heat stress assessment at a subsistence fish wheel in the Yukon River during July 2017. The muscle biopsy location looks like one of the black spots on the back of the fish.
Shannon Waters Releases Chinook Salmon, Alaska
USGS biological science technician Shannon Waters releases a Chinook Salmon into an Alaskan river.
USGS biological science technician Shannon Waters releases a Chinook Salmon into an Alaskan river.
Vanessa von Biela with a Chinook salmon on the Yukon River
Vanessa von Biela with a Chinook salmon on the Yukon River.
Vanessa von Biela with a Chinook salmon on the Yukon River.
Randy Brown adjusts a fish wheel trap on the Yukon River
Randy Brown adjusts a fish wheel trap on the Yukon River that will catch Chinook salmon.
Randy Brown adjusts a fish wheel trap on the Yukon River that will catch Chinook salmon.
Fish drying at a subsistence fish camp along the Yukon River
Fish drying at a subsistence fish camp along the Yukon River.
Fish drying at a subsistence fish camp along the Yukon River.