Genetic structure of populations and conservation issues relating to an endangered catfish, Clarias batrachus, in India

Abstract

The Asian catfish, Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758), is a highly valued species endemic to India that is currently in drastic decline in most of its natural habitat. The present study was undertaken to document the genetic structure of populations of this species using mitochondrial DNA markers, specifically from the cytochrome B and D-loop regions. Specimens from eight wild populations were collected and analyzed from different regions in India. The genetic variation within and among populations was evaluated using a range of descriptive statistics. The analysis described here provides a broad and consistent view of population structure and demographic history of populations of C. batrachus. Although there was some genetic structuring consistent with regional differences, all eight populations examined here showed relatively low levels of genetic variation in terms of both haplotype and nucleotide diversities in the different analyses used. However, a number of private haplotypes were discovered, and this may provide valuable information for future selective breeding program and conservation management. The results may aid in the design and implementation of strategies for the future management of this endangered catfish C. batrachus in India.

• Breeding
• Clarias batrachus
• Cyt B
• Dloop
• genetic diversity
• haplotype
• India

Acknowledgements

Authors are thankful to the staff of PHCDBS for their valuable support for conducting this work.

Declaration of interest

All the authors declare that they have no competing interests. Authors like to thank the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, for financial support to this project under File No.102/IFD/SAN/4469/2011-2012 Dated Feb 17, 2012 and F. No. BT/HRD/03/01/2002- Vol. III dated April 12, 2012.

GDK – Experimental design, data analysis, funding for laboratory supplies, salaries and Manuscript writing. ADT – Molecular marker analysis; ADK, Collection of population, lab works. CDK – Experimental design, data analysis and manuscript writing; ACR, Animal collection, experimental design and data analysis. TBR – Experimental design, data analysis and manuscript writing. DH – Experimental design, Data analysis and manuscript writing.