Fertility in first-generation hybrids of roach, Rutilus rutilus (L.), and silver bream, Blicca bjoerkna (L.)

Fertility in first‐generation hybrids of roach, Rutilus rutilus, and silver bream, Blicca bjoerkna, was investigated. Sperm and egg production of hybrids at first sexual maturity were examined. Eggs from female hybrids were artificially fertilized with the sperm of a corresponding hybrid male; a hybrid male from the reciprocal crossbreeding; a parental species male R. rutilus; and a parental species male B. bjoerkna. The results revealed that gametogenesis was normal in female hybrids. However, in male hybrids, a low efficiency of gametogenesis was observed. The semen of male hybrids was extremely dilute, with spermatozoa concentration lower than that in parental species. Nevertheless, these F1 hybrids (males and females) from reciprocal crossbreeding were fertile. F2 and backcross generations were produced, but F2 crosses from the female hybrid and corresponding hybrid male displayed a drastically slower hatching rate. Also higher proportions of deformed embryos were hatched than in other post‐F1‐generation crosses.