Viability of diploid and triploid larvae of Siberian sturgeon and bester hybrids.

Fopp-Bayat D. Jankun M. Woznicki P. Kolman R.

The aim of the present study was to produce Acipenser baeri x (Huso huso x Acipenser ruthenus) hybrids in a diploid and triploid state and to study their viability in comparison with the A. baeri from the fish farm stock. A heat shock (37 1C) in the 18th minute after fertilization was applied to induce triploidy. The survival rate and the ploidy level of the hybrids obtained were studied. The mortality of triploid hybrids was approximately twice as high as the mortality of diploid hybrids. No significant difference in the survival rate between Siberian sturgeon and their diploid hybrid with bester was noted. Cytogenetic analysis was performed by preparing chromosomes from the gill epithelium. The results showed that all studied fish from the heat-shocked group were triploid.