Artificial hybridization of Japanese and European eel (Anguilla japonica × A. anguilla) by using cryopreserved sperm from freshwater reared males

Eggs of Japanese eel (Anguilla anguilla) were fertilized with cryopreserved sperm of European eel (A. anguilla) obtained from fish reared and matured in freshwater conditions.A new genomic PCR-RFLP marker was developed to distinguish the two species and detect maternally and paternally derived DNA fragments to genetically verify the hybrid nature of the offspring.

► Viable larvae hatched from A. japonica eggs and cryopreserved sperm of A. anguilla.
► Sperm originated from males maturating in freshwater.
► Hybridization was verified via new PCR-RFLP marker.