Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) is one of the most important fish species cultivated in ponds all over the world. There are several trout farms in Estonia, too. However, little is known about the origin, genetic structure and possible relationships between Estonian rainbow trout populations.The main purpose of the study was to detect polymorphic enzymes in rainbow trout and describe with their help the genetic structure of various rainbow trout stocks cultivated in Estonia. Comparing our experimental results with literature data, we tried to find out the differences and relationships between rainbow trout stocks of different origin.
Material and methodsThe material used in the study was collected in the following rainbow trout hatcheries in the Estonian SSR: 1. Keila-Joa 50 specimens (age group 0+ ); 2. Keila-Joai+Vohnja + Roosna-Alliku 101 specimens (mixed material, age group 0 +); 3. Aravuse 132 specimens (mixed material, 2, 3 or 4 years old); 4. Põlula 25 specimens (2 years old);5. Roosna-Alliku 5.1. caught in December 1981 49 specimens (2 years old); 5.2. caught in March 1982 50 specimens (2 years old); 6. Pidula 30 specimens (3 years old). Practically all the domesticated rainbow trout strains in the world are descendants of Californian rainbow trout (Busack et ah, 1979). Rainbow trout was introduced into Estonia before World War 11. Systematic rainbow trout farming began in the Estonian SSR in the late forties. In 1948 rainbow trout was introduced from the German DR into the Soviet Union (Ropsha Experimental Fish Farm near Leningrad). In 1952 rainbow trout was introduced from Ropsha into Estonia, into the Põlula Fish