Evidence of hybridization between Yaqui catfish Ictalurus pricei (Rutter, 1896) and channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque, 1818) in north-west Mexico revealed by analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear genes

The Yaqui catfish, Ictalurus pricei, is the only native ictalurid species described from north-west Mexico and south-west USA. It is an endangered species owing to the decline and loss of most of its historical populations, mainly because of competition and hybridization with the non-native channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. The Arroyo Cajon Bonito is one of the few remnant populations of Yaqui catfish in the Yaqui River basin, and it is threatened by the presence of channel catfish that escaped from private culture facilities. Phylogenetic analysis of two mitochondrial and two nuclear genes was used to detect evidence of hybridization with channel catfish in a collection of 20 catfish from Arroyo Cajon Bonito. Fourteen putatively pure Yaqui catfishes, five hybrids and one channel catfish were detected. This study further highlights hybridization between channel and Yaqui catfish as the main threat to the remaining Yaqui catfish populations. We recommend urgent evaluation of the remnant populations of native catfish elsewhere and their current conservation status.

Automated summary

The Yaqui catfish, a native ictalurid species in Mexico and the USA, is endangered due to competition and hybridization with non-native channel catfish. Research found evidence of hybridization between Yaqui catfish and channel catfish in a remnant population, highlighting it as a major threat. Urgent evaluation of remnant populations and conservation status of native catfish is recommended.