A new study entitled :

Admixture Analysis of Florida Largemouth Bass and
Northern Largemouth Bass using Microsatellite Loci

DIJAR J. LUTZ-CARRILLO*
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, CHRIS C. NICE, TIMOTHY H. BONNER, AND MICHAEL R. J. FORSTNER
Department of Biology, Texas State University LORAINE T. FRIES
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department,

2006


Samples encompassed both subspecies as well as populations of northern largemouth bass at northern and southern latitudes. Our objectives were as follows: (1) to determine whether
microsatellite genetic structure concurs with sampling three distinct geographic regions and the results of previous studies of population structure in the species, allowing the resolution of individual geographic origins; (2) to quantify allele frequency differences
between species and among regions; and (3) to resolve the admixture proportions and ancestry of trophy fish donated to TPWD during 2004 and 2005. Based on previous work showing that Florida largemouth bass attain a larger overall size than northern largemouth bass at southern latitudes (Bottroff and Lembeck 1978) and the locations of our samples, we expected that a majority of the donated fish would have substantial Florida influence and that admixed individuals would have ancestry derived from northern largemouth bass at southern latitudes. Additionally, given that hybrid vigor in the F1 generation is thought to be followed by outbreeding depression (Lynch 1996), we expected
to detect F1 hybrids at a greater rate than latergeneration hybrids in the individuals donated to TPWD.

Interesting results. Based on genetics it could be determined which of several groups of LMB stock the fish came from. Distinct genetics for 2 populations from Florida , difference for populations of N-LMB from Texas and Okla. and different from populations of N-LMB from Minn./Wisc. So there are suginificant genetic differences between Fla LMB , Northern LMB form the south and still more differences with Northern LMB from the North and these differences could be tracked into offspring.

The analysis of admixted proportions in trophy fish donated to TPWD showed that a majority of the genetic contribution was from Florida largemouth bass, particularly lineages similar to those obtained from western Florida (Meda and Hill). Furthermore, a majority of the trophy fish showed no significant influence from northern largemouth bass. Admixed trophy fish were largely influenced by southern lineages of northern largemouth bass, a majority probably having a grandparent or earlier relative in the southern-latitude northern largemouth bass cluster.

More later after further review.