Genetic Diversity in Cultured and Wild Population of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) in Nigeria Using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Microsatellite DNA

Abstract

The population structure and genetic diversities of Clarias gariepinus from the cultured population at Chi Farm (Ajanla) and wild population at Asejire Reservoir (Asejire) were analysed using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Microsatellite DNA markers. Using a CTAB protocol, genomic DNA was extracted from the caudal fins of 20 samples of live specimen collected from each population. Seven RAPD primers and seven pairs of microsatellite DNA primers were used to amplify different loci on the extracted genomic DNA by Polymerase Chain Reaction and the resultant DNA fragments were analysed on agarose gel. The RAPD primers amplified a total of 474 loci with 697 bands in all samples for the seven primers studied. The cultured population from Chi farm showed a total of 366 bands, while the wild population from Asejire Reservoir displayed 331 bands. The cultured population showed a negative inbreeding coefficient (F) of-0.173 ± 0.209, which statistically suggests excess heterozygosity, while a positive but low inbreeding coefficient of 0.042 ± 0.243 was estimated for the wild population. The Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) for both genetic markers indicated significant difference (p=0.01) between the two populations. The result of the study suggests a loss or ongoing loss of genetic variability, which needs conservation intervention in the two populations studied.

Mitochondrial DNA Corroborates the Genetic Variability of Clarias Catfishes (Siluriformes, Clariidae) from Cameroon

“…The genetic data have become an increasingly valuable tool in informing conservation and management strategies for freshwater fishes and other animals [15,16]. By providing information on population structure, genetic diversity, connectivity, and hybridization, genetic data can help inform management decisions and ensure the long-term sustainability of many important fishes including Clarias [17][18][19][20]. In addition to the high species diversity of Clarias, only three species (Clarias batrachus Linnaeus, 1758, Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822, and Clarias macrocephalus Günther, 1864) have been repeatedly studied on different aspects, resulting in a limited view of their biological and ecological perspectives [21][22][23][24][25].…”

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“…They are used by fishery biologists as a basis to manage commercially important organisms. Patterns of genetic diversities between stocks provide clues to the histories of the populations and also reveal the degree of evolutionary isolation [3,4] reported that genetic monitoring is very imperative for an effective management strategy as fish population can suffer severe genetic erosion such as genetic drift, bottleneck, inbreeding, founder effect, etc., without being detected by the traditional demographic monitoring approach. Genetic variation is the raw material in a species and populations, which enables them to adapt to changes in their environment.…”