Fenotipi della trota mediterranea: metodologia di indagine molecolare combinata e selezione morfologica per l'identificazione di esemplari autoctoni. Genotypes and phenotypes of mediterranean brown trout: molecular investigation combined to morphological characterization for identification of autoch

Summary An investigation to assess structural gene variation in brown trout populations from Northern and Central Apennines was carried out. Combined analyses of 16s rDNA haplotypes and LDH-C1* genotypes demonstrated the limited presence of autochthonous strains of Mediterranean trout in all investigated streams. Pure Mediterranean trouts were 21% of overall sampled specimens in Northern Apennine (12 sampling stations) while most of trouts were genetically attributed to hybrid individuals. Experimental data allowed the elaboration of an innovative introgression index based on the combination of mitochondrial haplotypes and nuclear alleles. The research was also extended to the characterization of spawners to be used for artificial insemination and restocking of Central Italy streams. Genetic selection of 95 spawners has allowed to obtain a pure Mediterranean strain (100% individuals) in the F 1 generation.