Genetic variation among cat fish (Mystus cavasius) population assessed by randomly amplified polymorphic (RAPD) markers from Assam, India

Abstract

In the present study molecular and morphological analysis of a population of Mystus cavasius caught from four different freshwater bodies of Assam, India about 100-400 km away from each other was done using RAPD markers. Total 578 RAPD fragments were generated using nine decamer primers of arbitrary nucleotide sequences. In the experiment 448 polymorphic bands and 130 monomorphic bands were produced which shows 77.50% of polymorphism and 22.49% of monomorphism. UPGMA dendrogram constructed on the basis of genetic distance formed four distinct clusters, indicating comparatively higher level of genetic variations in the studied M. cavasius populations in Assam. The genetic diversity data can be applied in the areas of research on evolution, conservation and management of cat fish resources and genetic improvement programmes. RAPD analysis for genetic diversity study provides a basis to obtain genetic variation within and among populations.