Microsatellite Diversity and Population Structure of Hypophthalmicthys molitrix in Hatchery Populations of Punjab

Özet

The genetic integrity of the commercially important fish species is being compromised mainly due to artificialpropagation. The present study evaluated the extent of genetic variability and assessed the population structure of Silver Carp(Hypophthalmicthys molitrix) in hatchery stocks of Punjab province, Pakistan using 16 species-specific microsatellite loci.The results revealed low-to-moderate scale of genetic variability in the hatchery stocks. The level of average observedheterozygosity varied from 0.3770 to maximum of 0.5874 in all the stocks. Most of the hatcheries showed heterozygotedeficit. The average values of inbreeding coefficient ranged from 0.174 to 0.441. Most of the locus-population combinationsshowed significant departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The AMOVA revealed significant genetic structuring inhatchery populations of H. molitrix. The UPGMA dendrogram showed the populations clustering irrespective of theirgeographical proximities. The current research work provides a comprehensive knowledge regarding the genetic structure andgenetic diversity of H. molitrix populations which may be applicable for the management of the concerned populations tomaintain their genetic quality in Pakistan.