AMPLIFICATION OF HETEROLOGOUS MICROSATELLITES IN COHO SALMON, Oncorhynchus kisutch, FROM CHILE.

¹ Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 653, Santiago, Chile
² Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 653, Santiago, Chile

The scarce isozymic variation detected in coho salmon prevents their use for a best genetic characterization and monitoring of their native or farmed populations, being necessary the search of new genetic tools. The microsatellite loci have been shown advantages for population analysis. The PCR methodology was used to amplify seven microsatellite, previously described for O. nerka, using DNA of O. kisutch from the IFOP-Coyhaique hatchery in Southern Chile. Primers were synthesized according the published sequences. The amplification products were submited to electrophroresis using Gibco-BRL and Metaphor agarose. In coho salmon, amplification was obtained for the seven microsatellite being the PCR conditions very similar to those described for sockeye salmon; 2 to 7 alleles were observed for five polymorphic loci in coho salmon, ranging from 110 to 300 bp. The polymorphic microsatellite are being used for populations studies in coho salmon in Chile. Fondap OBM-Peces Grant.