Hi Azubuike,

Hybridization used to be evaluated from morphometric and meristic variables using some kind of multivariate analysis. Carlson et al 1985, which reference is given below is only one among the many papers using such technique. Historically, morphological, meristic, and genetic analysis were subsequently used together to study stock structure and hybridization. Nowadays genetic studies are privileged, but the morphometric and meristic variables can still be useful and much cheaper. See Neff and Smith (1979) and Archie (1985) and more recently Dwivedi & Dubey (2012).

Hope This Helps

Tito

Archie, J. W. (1985). Methods for coding variable morphological features for numerical taxonomic analysis. Systematic Biology, 34(3), 326-345.

Carlson, D. M., Pflieger, W. L., Trial, L., & Haverland, P. S. (1985). Distribution, biology and hybridization of Scaphirhynchus albus and S. platorynchus in the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 14(1), 51-59.

Dwivedi, A. K., & Dubey, V. K. (2012). Advancements in morphometric differentiation: a review on stock identification among fish populations. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 1-17.

Neff, N. A., & Smith, G. R. (1979). Multivariate analysis of hybrid fishes. Systematic Biology, 28(2), 176-196.

Thanks a lot Tito for the brief insight into the subject matter. Although i still expect quite a number of responses that give their research experiences in this field, the links to these papers would be very helpful. Thanks again.

We name it Hubbs and Koronoma Intermediacy (1942). Its the formula to evaluate hybrid intermediacy. You would create an intermediacy index of morphometric and meristic values of broods and sibs. This is known as Hubbs Index also will allow you to develop a hybrid system. Easy to calculate, even with calculator and efficient, simple. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2427.1972.tb00373.x/abstract.

Genetically allozymes are the most reliable system where discriminative enzyme markers are available. mtDNA can not be used cause maternally inherited only. STRs are too complex to be assessed in sibs and requires multiple analysis, parental assessment and many other analysis in fact and type II STRs (Non Coding) are not conserved at the species level. Allozymes are valuable but messy, however requires low initiating investment. Variances at enzyme locus level are well conserved at species level and certain mainly.

Thanks Ekrem, got some literature on the subject of hybrid intermediacy and came across some types of intermediacy i.e. phyletic and reticulate intermediacy. I dunno if u've come across them before, if yes could u throw some light on it preferably using a morphological example?