World Distribution of Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri)

Abstract

Since 1874, the endemic range of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, has been extended through introduction to include eastern North America and the continents of Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, and South America. The present range of the species extends into low latitudes by the use of waters at high elevations to over 4500 m above sea level.Environmental factors considered to be of primary importance in the survival of introduced populations are water temperature and precipitation. The presence of suitable spawning grounds, coupled with seasonal water temperatures below 13 C, are essential for the establishment of self-sustaining populations.A further extension of the world range of rainbow trout seems unlikely except perhaps in northeastern Asia. However, distribution within the present range is likely to be increased through the use of new ponds and reservoirs as they are constructed for water supply and flood control by many countries throughout the world. The farming of rainbow trout, now of local significance in parts of eastern Asia, western North America, and central and western Europe, offers an unrealized potential on all continents if warranted by a protein and market demand.

Analysis of NOR distribution in cultivated and naturalized stocks of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

“…This observation agrees with MacCrimmon (1971), who reported that the rainbow trout samples introduced in the mountain areas of São Paulo state came from California in the early 1960's. The study of other naturalized populations and the use of alternative molecular markers may lead to a better understanding of the relationships among rainbow trout stocks in Brazil.…”

“…In 1962, a large official program was set up, and rainbow trout eggs were imported from California (EUA), in order to start the culture of this species in fish farms, and also to introduce it into some rivers of the Serra da Bocaina (Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo), Serra da Mantiqueira (São Paulo), and other mountain fluvial systems, located in the northern region of the state of Santa Catarina (MacCrimmon, 1971).…”

Some effects of eutrophication and the removal of aquatic plants by grass carp(Ctenopharyngodon idella)on rainbow trout(Salmo gairdnerii) in Lake Parkinson, New Zealand

“…Surface water temperatures exceeded 25°C in February 1978, and such high temperatures are beyond the point at which trout cease feeding (Embody 1927in MacCrimmon 1971. Furthermore, shag densities increased markedly over this summer period and the trout, limited in distribution by water quality and lacking cover formerly provided by weed beds, would have been further affected by this increased predation pressure.…”

Movements and habitat preference of adult rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in a New Zealand montane lake

“…Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are very adaptable (MacCrimmon 1971), occurring in their native North America in a range of habitats including rivers, lakes, and the ocean. Introduced into New Zealand in the 1880s (McDowall 1990), rainbow trout are usually associated with lakes where they occur in sympatry with two other introduced salmonids-frequently with the widespread brown trout, and occasionally with populations of lake-limited chinook salmon.…”