Dolly Varden are the most widely-distributed salmonid in Alaska and occupy most coastal waters in the state. Two forms or sub-species of Dolly Varden have been described in Alaska. The northern (S. m. malma) form is distributed from the Mackenzie River to the north side of the Alaska Peninsula while the southern form (S. m. lordi) is distributed on the south side of the Alaska Peninsula to the southern tip of Southeast Alaska, including Kodiak and the Aleutian Islands. The distribution of each form has changed in recent years with knowledge gained from genetic analysis. Both forms have anadromous and stream-resident forms but the lacustrine (lake dwelling) form is rare in the northern form but common in the southern form. The forms [...]
Summary
Dolly Varden are the most widely-distributed salmonid in Alaska and occupy most coastal waters in the state. Two forms or sub-species of Dolly Varden have been described in Alaska. The northern (S. m. malma) form is distributed from the Mackenzie River to the north side of the Alaska Peninsula while the southern form (S. m. lordi) is distributed on the south side of the Alaska Peninsula to the southern tip of Southeast Alaska, including Kodiak and the Aleutian Islands. The distribution of each form has changed in recent years with knowledge gained from genetic analysis. Both forms have anadromous and stream-resident forms but the lacustrine (lake dwelling) form is rare in the northern form but common in the southern form. The forms may differ greatly in the distance they travel during their marine migrations (Crane et al. 2004). The southern form typically migrates 60 km while the northern form may migrate much further and have been documented migrating from northwest Alaska to Russian freshwaters to spawn or overwinter (DeCicco 1997).