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Genetic variations and phylogenetic relationship among snakehead fish, Channa Striatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Channidae) population based on RAPD-PCR analysis

Journal of Environment & Biotechnology Research, Vol. 2, No. 1, Pages 1-6, January 2016

Kasi Marimuthu, Kelvin Swee Chuan Wei, Rathinam Xavier, Mohammad Aminur Rahman, Aziz Arshad, Mohammed Aliyu-Paiko, Subramaniam Sreeramanan, M. Gokul Raj

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ABSTRACT

Evolutionary study is an important parameter to assess the stocks via selective breeding programs. Hence, establishing molecular markers for genetic programs to address the issues related population management studies, especially identification and discrimination is required. In this study, using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) -polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, genetic variations and phylogenetic relationship among population of snakehead fish, Channa striatus from four states (Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis) of Peninsular Malaysia were examined. Live and healthy fishes were collected at each of the sampling locations. Genomic DNA was isolated from the caudal fin of the fish and quantified. To amplify the DNA, preliminary screening was carried out with 20 decamer OPA primers, where only 3 primers (OPA-2, OPA-3, and OPA-13) were produced clear and reproducible bands and these primers were selected for the genetic variation analysis. Results showed that the genetic distance between population ranged from 0.0588 to 0.2272; and individuals within the populations were closely related at an average genetic distance of 0.18. Furthermore, dendogram construction using un-weighted pair-group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) revealed the close relationship between snakehead fish sampled from Kedah and Perak states, thus indicating less variation among the populations in the north-western states of Peninsular Malaysia. The slight variation in the genetic diversity within and between populations in the north-west region of Peninsular Malaysia could be attributed to over-fishing and natural destruction of fish habitat, which may lead to inbreeding and genetic drift. Based on the obtained results it is concluded that RAPD-PCR technique is a reliable method to successfully investigate the genetic variation among fish population.
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