Mitochondrial DNA as a genetic marker for brown trout, Salmo trutta L., populations

Mitochondrial DNA was examined in natural and hatchery‐reared stocks of brown trout, using different methods of restriction analysis. The methods included the development of a brown trout mt DNA hybridization probe through cloning part of the brown trout mitochondrial genome. In addition, fragments were analysed by ethidium bromide staining and end‐labelling. The relative merits of each of these methods in assessing levels of genetic relatedness between the natural and hatchery‐reared brown trout stocks were evaluated. In addition, the study revealed a diagnostic mtDNA restriction pattern which could be used as a genetic marker for the discrimination of these two groups of brown trout.