Unidirectional Natural Hybridization between Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) and Atlantic Salmon (S.salar) in Newfoundland

Abstract

Protein electrophoresis and mitochondrial DNA analysis were used to detect the frequency and direction of natural hybridization between brown trout (Salmo trutta) and Atlantic salmon (S. salar) in nine Newfoundland rivers. In total, 37 hybrids were discovered in a sample of 792 juvenile fish for a regional frequency of 4.67%. Local frequencies ranged from 0.00 to 18.75% and were significantly heterogeneous. All of the hybrids sampled were produced from matings between female brown trout and male Atlantic salmon. Possible reasons for the breakdown of prereproductive isolating mechanisms between these species are considered. Reproductive characteristics of the populations involved appear to have a major influence on the dynamics of hybridization between these species in Newfoundland. It is proposed that an abundance of sexually mature Atlantic salmon parr in Newfoundland streams is responsible for both the frequency and direction of hybridization observed in this study.