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

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Fisheries Management and Ecology
Main Authors: Solem, Ø., Berg, O. K., Verspoor, E., Hindar, K., Karlsson, S. O., Koksvik, J., Rønning, L., Kjærstad, G., Arnekleiv, J. V.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2014
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Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/fme.12085
https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Ffme.12085
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/fme.12085
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Summary: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.