SummaryAn extensive risk analysis should always precede a stocking program. In order to determine the genetic effects of the program, information on genetic composition of the population both prior and after the stocking program is required. Genetic variations within and among three annual spawning runs of Chinese sturgeon were measured by six microsatellites. We found substantial genetic variation remaining within all spawning runs, probably related to the recent nature of the population impact, the longevity of the species, and their apparent self-incompatibility. A subtle genetic structure was detected in the annual spawning runs by an unsupervised self-organizing model. Meanwhile these genetically differentiated spawning stocks may occur sympatrically on a small geographic scale. These results further suggest that the current supportive breeding of A. sinensis may require a careful identification of broodstocks in artificial propagation in order to avoid admixture and hybridization among these genetically different spawning stocks.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.