Question of the week -

[SaltH2oFly]

What's the difference between an Atlantic Salmon and a Landlocked Salmon?

[mer]

one actually makes it to the SaltH2O the other doesn't.

[fessiewig]

I may be wrong on this, but I was under the impression LL Salmon were of the same origin as Atlantics, but over the years of being landlocked they have developed their own identity. It's no longer simply one makes it to the ocean and the other doesn't. I think. It would probably be best to talk to a fisheries biologist about this.

[SaltH2oFly]

Do you think I would come to the table with a question and no correct answer? Mer is sort of correct - however, there is a genetic difference:
LLS is technically S. salar Sebago, and sea run is S. salar Linnaeus. Thank you to my good friend Mr. Ed Baum Sr. Salmo Salar biologist and consultant: http://MaineAtlanticSalmon.com

[fessiewig]

Yeah, that's what I thought. They have their own identity. The LL's did start as Atlantics, but over the years of being landlocked they genetically developed their own family.

[mer]

Ok, so I was speaking in generalities and you were looking for specifics? My point of reference was just further back in time than yours.

:)

[Salmon Slayer]

There can be an argument made both ways about this though. Technically they are just two derivations of the same species (i.e. they are both salmo salar, the suffixes sebago and linnaeus are sub-species names). To date I haven't seen any genetic analysis done comparing the two, but both the landlocks and atlantic salmon fall under the classic definition of being one species since they can interbreed and produce viable offspring.