Molecular characterization and genetic diversity of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus from some Coastal Rivers in Nigeria

Abstract

Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus is an economically and nutritionally important fish commonly found in both fresh and brackish waters in Nigeria. The purpose of the study was to assess the genetic diversity C. nigrodigitaus using microsatellites with a view to ascertaining the necessity for breeding and conservation of the species. A random sample of 60 fish samples were obtained from three coastal populations in Nigeria for genetic diversity assessment by 4 microsatellite loci. All investigated populations demostrated high polymorphism in all loci. High genetic vatiation was indicated by the four microsatellite loci in all the three populations with the number of alleles (Na) ranging from 2 – 3 alleles per locus while the effective number of alleles (Ne) ranged from 2.12 – 2.41. Badagry population had the highest genetic diversity as was revealed by heterozygosity (observed and expected) and shanon index. Clustering based on the genetic distance gave two major clusters indicating some level of genetic variability between the studied populations which may be explored for appropriate breeding and conservation of C. nigrodigitatus in Nigeria.