Principles of Genetics and Breeding

5.1.7 Methods for identification of hybrids

Different methods are available for the identification of hybrids

Morphological or numerical characters

When the two parental species exhibit different morphological or numerical characters, the hybrid is frequently intermediate between the two species. This rule is,however, not absolute, and the traits of the hybrids may sometimes either be similar to one of the parental species or even not included within the values of the two parental species (Table 8.1).

Table 1. Identification of hybrids by numerical characters

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Type of hybridization Character ♀ ♂ Hybrid

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Grass carp x common carp Dorsal fin rays 7.1 19.9 16.0

Lateral line scales 40.5 11.4 33.8

Brown trout x masou salmon Pyloric caeca 37.7 46.1 37.0

Arctic char x brook trout Gill rakers 13.8 15.3 15.8

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Source: Chevassus (1983)