Use of Rapd Fingerprinting for Study and Conservation of Fish Populations

ABSTRACT

This paper analysed a total of 76 fish individuals collected at four different localities in Republic of Macedonia. The following were encompassed: River Strumica, River Vardar and two natural lakes-Ohrid Lake and Prespa Lake. The samples affiliated with the four previously mentioned barbel species on the territory of Republic of Macedonia: Barbus cyclolepis Kar., Barbus prespensis Kar., Barbus macedonicus Kar. and Barbus peloponnesius Val. The molecular RAPD method was used for investigation of the population structure of the Barbus genus. A total of ten oligonucleotide primers was used to obtain various RAPD profiles in different species. The established genetic markers allow an opportunity for exact identification of the species and populations of barbel and for detection of interspecies hybrids.

Keywords:

• RAPD-PCR
• population genetics
• conservation
• Barbus