Genetic identification of two putative world record Michigan salmonids resolves stakeholder and manager questions

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jglr.2011.11.011
• Publication Date: 2011-12-22T15:20:02Z
• Authors: Jared J. Homola; Jeannette Kanefsky; Kim T. Scribner; Todd G. Kalish; Mark A. Tonello
• Keywords: Brown trout; Hatchery; DNA Barcoding

Abstract The ability of fishery managers to quickly and effectively answer stakeholder questions using the best available science is crucial for successful management. The 2009 capture of a potential world record brown trout ( Salmo trutta ) and the 2010 capture of a potential world record land-locked Atlantic salmon ( S. salar ) in Michigan required managers to acquire genetic verification of the species identity. Given the variety of hatchery strains used to maintain Great Lakes fisheries for brown trout and in the absence of physical markings, managers also were interested to determine the strain of origin for information on assessing performance. DNA barcoding techniques using sequences from the mitochondrial (mt) DNA cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene and frequency-based analysis of species-specific microsatellite genotypes provided data to establish the species of both fish. The putative brown trout was confirmed to be a new world record specimen. Using individual assignment tests based on maximum likelihood estimators informed by multi-locus microsatellite genotypes, we determined the fish to be from the Seeforellen hatchery strain (p