Mitochondrial DNA assay of 63 Chinook-Coho salmon hybrids

Mitochondrial DNA sequences can identify the maternal species involved in hybridization events and provide behavioural clues of the matings. In this study, Mitochondrial DNA indicated hybrids were the offspring of female Coho salmon spawning with Chinook salmon males (all but two individuals from a reciprocal cross). This finding suggested two possible scenarios: accidental fertilization in crowded spawning grounds or heterospecific choice of mate when conspecifics were not available (e.g. differential abundance).