DNA MARKER BASED PATERNITY TESTS FOR THREE MAJOR COMMERCIAL FISH SPECIES

Biosoft AS, Oslo Research Park, Gaustadalleen 21, N-0349 Oslo, Norway

Microsatellite markers have been shown to be powerful tools for identification of closely related individuals. Successful application of the DNA makers tothe paternity test systems for the major aquaculture species has been achieved. We have selected 15, 18, and 12 dinucleotide microsatellite markers fromthree farm fish species - tilapia, Atlantic salmon, and Seabass respectively and established standardised multiplex PCR profiles for various combinations ofthe markers. We have also tested the markers against each fish species consisting of a group of parents and offspring and we could successfully assign the offspring to its parents. The averaged number of alleles of each marker was 11 for tilapia and 6 for Atlantic salmon. These DNA marker based parentage test systems are robust and can be used for stock identification, and for the purpose ofassisting commercial fish breeding programs even in breeding populations with limited genetic variation between the families.