Phylogenetic characteristics of selected European huchen (Hucho hucho L.) broodstocks – implication for broodstock management

Abstract

European huchen (Hucho hucho) is a representative of large and rare migratory salmonid fish, which has become endangered due to extensive anthropogenic changes in freshwater ecosystems. Numerous broodstocks of the European huchen have therefore been established throughout the species’ range in recent years to supplement wild fisheries of this species. Unfortunately, this conservation management strategy entails a number of potential ecological and genetic risks associated with the release of farm-raised fish into wild populations. A comprehensive and feasible genetic monitoring protocol for broodstocks maintained for the production of restocking material is therefore essential in the sustainable management of critically endangered fish species. The current paper presents phylogenetic characteristics of four selected huchen broodstocks across Central and Eastern Europe. Genetic comparisons of the studied broodstocks were based on ten microsatellite DNA markers. The effective population size (Ne), the individual assignment test, the Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA), the allele sharing distance (DAS) and the Bayesian clustering analysis were applied in this study. Moreover, five selected fragments of mitochondrial DNA were used for molecular verification of species membership and genetic purity of examined specimens.

Conservation genetics study of huchen in Slovenia recommends river system‐based management and indicates self‐sustainability of the middle Sava population

“…For central and eastern Europe (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine), huchen management depends solely on brood stocks, most of which have already been surveyed genetically (Geist et al, 2009; Weiss & Schenekar, 2016; Kuciński & Fopp‐Bayat, 2021). In contrast, in south‐eastern Europe, particularly in Croatia, Bosnia‐Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro (the Balkan region), healthy, large and pristine huchen populations still exist (Freyhof et al, 2015).…”

“…For central and eastern Europe (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine), huchen management depends solely on brood stocks, most of which have already been surveyed genetically (Geist et al, 2009;Weiss & Schenekar, 2016;Kuci nski & Fopp-Bayat, 2021).…”

Effects of generations in captivity and elevated rearing temperature on Ontario hatchery brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) fry quality and survival

“…Captive breeding of freshwater fishes has been employed as a common restoration tool to reverse or mitigate population declines (Cote et al, 2021;George et al, 2009;Houde, Garner, et al, 2015) particularly in freshwater fishes (Ward et al, 2008) such as salmonids (Solar, 2009).. Captive breeding programs require the cultivation of breeding adults through assigned mating, highly controlled environments, and strict nutrition to produce high quality offspring which are eventually used for stocking events (Bromage et al, 1992;Carrillo et al, 2000;Kuciński & Fopp-Bayat, 2021;Morissette et al, 2018;Olk et al, 2019). Progeny quality is quantified using egg fertilization, hatching success, survival through to the emergent fry stage (as defined by the period before the first exogenous feed), and fry quality as determined by the absence of malformations (Bromage et al, 1992;Carrillo et al, 2000).…”