Autumn microhabitat breadth differs between family groups of Atlantic salmon parr (Salmo salar) in a small chalk stream

The effect of family traits on the microhabitat use by six genetically distinct groups (three in each year of study) of juvenile Atlantic salmon tagged with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags was studied via PIT-tag detectors installed on the river bed in a small chalk stream of southern England, during Autumn in 2006 and 2007. Canonical correspondence analysis of the molecular and microhabitat data revealed considerable overlap in the microhabitat use of the family groups and notable differences in microhabitat breadth, which was partly influenced by sample size. The data suggest that microhabitat breadth and preferences of wild salmon are influenced by family of origin.