Genetic variation of Barramundi (Lates calcarifer Bloch) from Indonesian and Australian populations using Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR)

Abstract

Genetic profiles of broodstock are crucial to enhance a successful selective breeding program in barramundi aquaculture. However, there is currently a lack of information on the genetic variation of the barramundi broodstock population. The study aimed to examine DNA microsatellite characteristics of barramundi from two different wild populations, i.e., Indonesian and Australian waters. In this study, a total of 30 fish were sampled and analyzed from the two localities using six microsatellite primers (LcaM21F, LcaM27F, LcaM32, LcaM35F, LcaM36, and LcaM37). The observation on body weight of 9 months old barramundi showed that broodstock from Australia and Indonesia were 820.25 g and 786.59 g, respectively. Generally, private alleles and the heterozygosity numbers of the Indonesian population were higher than the Australian population. The present study suggests a different genetic profile between the Australian and Indonesian barramundi populations.