Scientific Annals of the Danube Delta Institute (Sep 2012)
Comparative genetic diversity study of two European populations of pikeperch using PCR-RFLP
Abstract
Pikeperch is a predatory fish widely introduced in Europe, distributed from North-Europe to South,from the brackish waters to fresh waters of rivers and lakes. Wild pikeperch specimens from Balaton Lake and Razim-Sinoie lake complex were analysed using original primers designed to amplify an extended D-loop region (910 bp) of pikeperch mtDNA. RFLP analysis with Dde I revealed three distinct haplotypes present in pikeperch populations from both lakes. Despite the geographical distance, the anthropic impact by long-term controlled natural spawning (1939 - 2009) on pikeperch population of Razim-Sinoie lake complex and intensive fishing in both lakes over a long period of time, the current study demonstrated for the first time the presence of common mtDNA D-loop RFLP Dde I haplotypes in the two populations. The results of the present study indicate the common origin of the two pikeperch populations, both lakes being connected with the Danube River through channels. Moreover, the two populations showed different haplotype frequencies, haplotype II being more frequent in pikeperch population of Balaton Lake (55 %) while haplotype III in that of Razim-Sinoie Lake (64%. Based on this genetic difference, hybridization is likely to be used as a method to improve production in intensive pikeperch aquaculture.
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