Objectives within aquaculture can vary quite widely among contexts: from efficiency in commercial production to the management of endangered species, and everything in between. As the genome of your species informs their ability to thrive, sound information about the genomic makeup of your stock is critical. Genotyping is a proven and rapidly developing technology for obtaining such genomic information.
CAT offers a comprehensive range of genotyping services, including our Strain ID line of assays, which enables the classification and characterization of genetic variation within fish populations, thereby assisting in fisheries management, breeding programs, conservation efforts, and studies of disease susceptibility and adaptation. Among them is the Bass Strain ID assay which identifies Florida largemouth bass and Northern largemouth bass genomes, as well as hybrids between the two. This assay provides a means to determine whether a fish is a pure strain or a hybrid, enabling the evaluation of the extent of hybridization.
State agencies and those managing lake or pond ecosystems can use the Strain ID data to create a clearer picture of species diversity, manage relatedness, and select animals that are well-suited to their destination environment, encouraging improved growth and delivering a well-managed ecosystem.
“Strain ID is an essential tool in the fisheries management toolkit“
For fisheries with a focus on recreational fishing, Strain ID helps assess the diversity of fish populations and certify the broodstock is the desired strain or hybrid. For example, the tool can be useful for confirming genetics for those purchasing bass under the assumption that they are Florida/Northern largemouth bass or a hybrid, and for those who are selling bass with this claim. State regulators can also use Bass Strain ID in the enforcement of genetic protection measures. For example, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Genetic Authentication Standards require genetic certification of inbound largemouth bass to help protect the integrity of the Florida Largemouth Bass gene pool. CAT is certified to carry out testing associated with these standards.
Strain ID services can be developed for any relevant species and complement many of our other services, such as selective breeding, genomic selection, health screening and microbiome sequencing.