DNA-Level Polymorphism as a Tool in Fisheries Science

Abstract

Several methods for the visualization of genetic polymorphisms at the nucleic acid level have been developed. Such polymorphisms promise to be exceedingly numerous, and may form the basis for a number of scientific and practical applications in fisheries science. An expanded number of genetic markers should increase the statistical power of marker-based studies in population genetics, for example, improving the sensitivity of biological stock assessments and of studies assessing the impact of stocking programs upon natural populations. Utilization of such genomic markers could contribute to the rapid elaboration of piscine genomic maps and to development of markers for health- and production-related traits in fishes.