Protein Electophoresis for identification of Australasian fish stocks

Abstract

Gel electrophoresis, coupled with histochemical staining of specific proteins, is a powerful technique that has been applied widely in population biology. This paper outlines theoretical and practical aspects of the technique in relation to stock separation studies. The importance of protein variation and the limitations of protein electrophoresis are discussed. Laboratory methods and the genetic interpretation of gel phenotypes are described along with statistical methods for data analyses. Australasian examples of applications of the technique are given and include species and fillet identification as well as stock identification. Some theoretical and empirical problems arising from the use of the technique in stock separation studies are discussed.