Identification of Morone Species and Congeneric Hybrids using Isoelectric Focusing

The 4 North American species of the genus Morone were evaluated using isoelectric focusing for determination of species specific protein phenotypes. Each species could be characterized by a pair of protein bands that had isoelectric points in the 3.0 to 5.0 pH range. These diagnostic protein bands were then used to successfully identify 3 congeneric hybrids. The technique of isoelectric focusing yields results that are accurate in determination of species within this genus and serves as a powerful complement to other electrophoretic techniques in analyses of Morone populations.