Megan McPhee

Megan McPhee

Professor

Fish and Fisheries Genetics
Fisheries Conservation
Fisheries Ecology


College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
17101 Point Lena Loop Rd
309 Lena Point bldg.
Juneau, AK 99801-8344
907-796-5464
mvmcphee@alaska.edu

Office Hours

Tuesday & Thursday
3:30–4:30 pm or by appointment
309 Lena Point Bldg.

Education

University of New Mexico
Ph.D. Biology
2003

University of Washington
B.S. Fisheries Biology
1996

 

Curriculum Vitae

 

Advising

 

Selected Publications

(* = student author)

Catterson,* M.R., D.C. Love, T.M. Sutton, and M.V. McPhee. 2020. Interactions between marine growth and life history diversity of steelhead from the Situk River, Alaska. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40(1): 242–255. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10405

Kohan,* M.L., F.J. Mueter, J.A. Orsi, and M.V. McPhee. 2019. Variation in size, condition, and abundance of juvenile chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) in relation to marine factors in Southeast Alaska. Deep-Sea Research II 165:340–347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2017.09.005

Siegel,* J.E., M.D. Adkison, and M.V. McPhee. 2018. Changing maturation reaction norms and the effects of growth history in Alaskan Chinook salmon. Marine Ecology Progress Series 595:187–202. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12564

Wechter,* M.E., B.R. Beckman, A.G. Andrews, A.H. Beaudreau, and M.V. McPhee. 2016. Growth and condition of juvenile chum and pink salmon in the northeastern Bering Sea. Deep-Sea Research II 135:145–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2016.06.001

Brennan,* S.R., C.E. Zimmerman, D.P. Fernandez, T.E. Cerling, M.V. McPhee, and M.J. Wooller. 2015. Strontium isotopes delineate fine-scale natal origins and migration histories of Pacific salmon. Science Advances 1(4): e1400124. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1400124

McPhee, M.V., D.L.G. Noakes, and F.W. Allendorf. 2012. Developmental rate: A unifying mechanism for sympatric divergence in postglacial fishes? Current Zoology 58(1): 21–34. https://doi.org/10.1093/czoolo/58.1.21

Specialties

  • evolutionary ecology
  • population genetics
  • management/conservation of salmonids

 

Research Overview

I am generally interested in the ecological and evolutionary processes responsible for genetic, life-history and morphological diversity in salmonids, as well as the consequences of this diversity for conservation and management of salmonid populations. Some of my recent research includes: the genetic basis for life-history differences between anadromous and resident steelhead/rainbow trout, the consequences of life history for genetic diversity and population structure in sockeye salmon, and rapid morphological divergence in postglacial and introduced fish populations.

 

Current Research Projects

  • Determining the effects of hatchery supplementation on genetic diversity and fitness in a wild population of sockeye salmon (PSC)
  • Assessing the ability to discriminate among Western Alaska chum salmon stocks using genetic markers (CIAP)
  • Retrospective analysis of freshwater growth and recruitment in Yukon-Kuskokwim Chinook salmon (PCCRC/AKSSF)
  • Growth and physiological status of juvenile pink and chum salmon in SE Alaska (AKSSF) and in the Chukchi and Northern Bering Sea (CIAP)
  • Ecotypic diversity in Kuskokwim sockeye salmon (AYK Sustainable Salmon Initiative) 'Biocomplexity' has been shown to be an important component of stability in the Bristol Bay sockeye salmon fishery. The Kuskokwim River differs from Bristol Bay in that it is dominated by dynamic riverine environments and the river-type life history is common in its sockeye salmon populations. We are studying both river-type (Holitna River) and lake-type (Telaquana Lake) sockeye in the Kuskokwim in order to determine how genetic, morphologic, and life-history diversity is distributed within and among spawning populations in contrasting habitats. Results will inform the degree to which adult returns might be expected to fluctuate at both the local and regional scales. Co-PIs: Tom Quinn (UW) and Jack Stanford (UM)