First record of a Chum Salmon, Oncorhynchus keta, from the Thompson River: Adams River spawing grounds, British Columbia

Abstract

The first record of a Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) from the upper reaches of the Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada is based on carcass of a partly spent mature made found on the lower Adams River spawning grounds, a tributary of the South Thompson River. The record is of interest because it is a major range extension for Chum Salmon within the Fraser River drainage. The migration timing of this fish may indicate that genetic selection has occurred for a run timing significantly earlier than the norm for Fraser River chum, and may suggest that a small population Chum Salmon is present in the Adam's River area.