First Record of Black Sea Trout (Salmo labrax) and Its Potential Hybrids with Endemic Munzur Trout (Salmo munzuricus) in Uzunçayır Dam Lake, Tunceli

The depletion of unique genetic resources and increased risk of extinction may result from hybridization between native and introduced species. In the present study, morphological and molecular analysis were performed on two putative natural interspecific hybrids of the genus Salmo and their parent species, Salmo labrax and Salmo munzuricus, collected from Uzunçayır Dam Lake, which is fed by Munzur and Pülümür streams. Molecular analyses revealed the presence of S. labrax in Uzunçayır Dam Lake for the first time. Phylogenetic analysis using the cytochrome b (Cytb) gene of mitochondrial DNA to determine the maternal origin revealed that hybrid individuals belonged to the same clades as S. labrax or S. munzuricus. Recombination activating gene 1 (Rag1) sequence of nuclear DNA was analyzed for paternal analysis and it was determined that hybrid individuals carried similar single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to S. labrax or S. munzuricus. These findings support that individuals derive from different parental species. Therefore, evidence from trout samples assumed to be natural hybrids in this study suggests interspecific hybridization between S. labrax and S. munzuricus, but further studies are required. Rag1 Phenotype