A comparison of sex-specific markers for two wild masu salmon populations in Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract

We evaluated the utility of three male-specific molecular markers, sdY, sdY 227U and OtY2m, in two wild populations of masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) in southwestern Hokkaido, Japan. Male-specific fragments amplified in all phenotypic males across the markers. Phenotypic females were genetically identified as males using sdY (57%) and sdY 227U (4%), but no phenotypic females were identified as males using OtY2m. We conclude that OtY2m was the most reliable sex marker, followed closely by sdY 227U, among those tested in our study populations. Additional research is warranted to test the applicability of these markers in other populations and Oncorhynchus species.