Low genetic diversity and absence of population differentiation of hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) revealed by mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b region in Ganga and Hooghly rivers

Abstract

We investigated the mtDNA cytochrome b based genetic structure of anadromous clupeid hilsa, Tenualosa ilisha, from the rivers Ganga and Hooghly. Six different haplotypes were observed, in sample size of 240, with a single dominant haplotype present in both rivers. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) of Ganga and Hooghly populations does not suggest existence of population structuring in hilsa. AMOVA conducted on the whole population from Ganga and Hooghly suggested existence of a single population, migrating to Ganga and Hooghly rivers through the estuaries for spawning and breeding.

Keywords: Hilsa, Tenualosa ilisha, Ganga, Hooghly, Bay of Bengal, West Bengal, India, mtDNA cytochrome b

African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(22), pp. 3383-3389