Microsatellite DNA polymorphism in sturgeon species and their hybrids reared in Polish aquaculture farms

Highly variable microsatellite DNA loci show high levels of variation per locus and provide molecular markers for species and for populations of small effective size. In this study we applied microsatellite markers to identify specimens belonging to several sturgeon species and their interspecific hybrids. Nine microsatellite loci (Afu-19, Afu-22, Afu-34, Afu-39, Afu-54, Afu-57, Afu-58, Afu-68, Afu-69) were analysed for five species (beluga, Siberian sturgeon, Russian sturgeon, sterlet and paddlefish) and for their three interspecific hybrids: Siberian sturgeon x Russian sturgeon, beluga x sterlet (called bester) and for beluga x bester. Certain alleles at five loci: Afu-22, Afu-39, Afu-54, Afu-57 and Afu-68 were diagnostic for the examined sturgeon species and their interspecific hybrids.