Research Document - 2010/013
A Review of the Taxonomic Structure within Dolly Varden, (Salvelinus malma (Walbaum 1792)), of North America
By M.W. Kowalchuk, C.D. Sawatzky and J.D Reist
Abstract
The taxonomic structure within North American Dolly Varden can be recognized by distinguishing subspecies based on criteria put forth by COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada; see Appendix 1) (2008). After reviewing all available literature, Salvelinus malma malma (Walbaum 1792) and Salvelinus malma lordi (Günther 1866) can be distinguished as subspecies (designatable units) of S. malma based on the COSEWIC criteria. S. m. malma range from all north flowing rivers along the Alaska Peninsula north to the Mackenzie River, although they are not present in rivers for approximately 700 km from Point Hope to the Colville River, while S. m. lordi range from all south flowing rivers on the Alaska Peninsula south to Washington State. Until further morphological, meristic and genetic analyses are conducted the separation of S. m. malma into additional subgroups, such as those proposed by DeCicco and Reist (1999), must wait.
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