Cutbow
Encyclopedia
A Cutbow is a fertile hybrid between a rainbow trout
(Oncorhynchus mykiss) and a cutthroat trout
(O. clarki). While cutbow hybrids may occur naturally, most native populations of rainbows and cutthroats were separated by geography or habitat. With human introduction of non-native rainbow trout into cutthroat habitat, cutbow hybridization has become a serious threat for native cutthroat populations due to genetic pollution
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Rainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
(Oncorhynchus mykiss) and a cutthroat trout
Cutthroat trout
The cutthroat trout is a species of freshwater fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. It is one of the many fish species colloquially known as trout...
(O. clarki). While cutbow hybrids may occur naturally, most native populations of rainbows and cutthroats were separated by geography or habitat. With human introduction of non-native rainbow trout into cutthroat habitat, cutbow hybridization has become a serious threat for native cutthroat populations due to genetic pollution
Genetic pollution
Genetic pollution is a controversial term for uncontrolled gene flow into wild populations. This gene flow is undesirable according to some environmentalists and conservationists, including groups such as Greenpeace, TRAFFIC, and GeneWatch UK.-Usage:...
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