Morphological and genetic comparison between naturally produced smolts of Atlantic salmon, brown trout and their hybrids

O. Solem, O. K. Berg, E. Verspoor, K. Hindar, S. O. Karlsson, J. Koksvik, L. Ronning, G. Kjaerstad, J. V. Arnekleiv

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Morphological characters were compared between smolts (standard length 110–220 mm) of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L., anadromous brown trout Salmo trutta L. and their hybrids captured in River Driva, western Norway. Morphological discrimination between S. salar, S. trutta and their hybrids was correct for 93% of the individuals (correct form was determined genetically). Morphological discrimination of hybrids was incorrect with 9.1% (n = 7) classified as S. salar and 1.3% (n = 1) as S. trutta, suggesting that the hybrids were morphologically more similar to S. salar than S. trutta despite a bias towards S. trutta mothers (7 of 8 cases). The largest morphological differences were found in head (notably maxilla length) and caudal peduncle morphology. Hybrids between S. salar and S. trutta had the longest pectoral and pelvic fins. This indicates that precise discrimination based on morphological traits can be made between S. salar, S. trutta and their hybrids.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)357-365
Number of pages8
JournalFisheries Management and Ecology
Volume21
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2014

Keywords

  • escaped farm salmon
  • Gyrodactylus salaries
  • hybridisation
  • morphological discrimination
  • reproductive isolation

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