W. S. Lakra

DNA barcoding Indian marine fishes.

DNA barcoding has been adopted as a global bio‐identification system for animals in recent years. A major national programme on DNA barcoding of fish and marine life was initiated in India by the authors during 2006 and 115 species of marine fish covering Carangids, Clupeids, Scombrids, Groupers, Sciaenids, Silverbellies, Mullids, Polynemids and Silurids representing 79 Genera and 37 Families from the Indian Ocean have been barcoded for the first time using cytochrome c oxidase I gene (COI) of the mtDNA. The species were represented by multiple specimens and a total of 397 sequences were generated. After amplification and sequencing of 707 base pair fragment of COI, primers were trimmed which invariably generated a 655 base pair barcode sequence. The average Kimura two parameter (K2P) distances within species, genera, families, orders were 0.30%, 6.60%, 9.91%, 16.00%, respectively. In addition to barcode‐based species identification system, phylogenetic relationships among the species have also been attempted. The neighbour‐joining tree revealed distinct clusters in concurrence with the taxonomic status of the species.

Genetic variation and population structure of endemic yellow catfish, Horabagrus brachysoma (Bagridae) among three populations of Western Ghat region using RAPD and microsatellite markers

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and microsatellite markers were applied to evaluate the genetic variation in endemic and endangered yellow catfish, Horabagrusbrachysoma sampled from three geographic locations of Western Ghat, South India river systems. In RAPD, of 32 10-mer RAPD primers screened initially, 10 were chosen and used in a comparative analysis of H. brachysoma collected from Meenachil, Chalakkudy and Nethravathi River systems. Of the 124 total RAPD fragments amplified, 49 (39.51%) were found to be shared by individuals of all 3 populations. The remaining 75 fragments were found to be polymorphic (60.48%). In microsatellites, six polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified by using primers developed for Pangasiushypophthalmus, Clariasmacrocephalus and Clariasgariepinus. The identified loci were confirmed as microsatellite by sequencing after making a clone. The nucleotide sequences of 6 loci were published in NCBI genbank. The number of alleles across the six loci ranged from 4 to 7 and heterozygosities ranged from 0.07 to 0.93. The mean number of alleles and effective number of alleles per locus were 5.00 and 3.314, respectively. The average heterozygosity across all investigated samples was 0.72, indicating a significant deficiency of heterozygotes in this species. RAPD and microsatellite methods reported a high degree of gene diversity and genetic distances depicted by UPGMA dendrograms among the populations of H. brachysoma.

Fish genetics and conservation research in India: status and perspectives

Recent years have witnessed a rise in sensitivity towards protection of natural genetic resources and the environment at the international level. This is evident from the implementation of the convention on biodiversity (CBD). To conserve and optimize utilization of its bioresources, India enacted the Biological Diversity Act 2002. The conservation and management of aquatic resources is important for sustainable utilization of fisheries potential for the economic advancement of farmers and fishery workers, today as well as for posterity. As the biotechnological and genomic revolutions are ready to take off, the sovereign rights of native inhabitants to intellectual property rights (IPR) related to aquatic genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge are also integral components of management strategies for genetic resources.

Evaluation of Genetic Variation in the Clown Knifefish, Chitala chitala, Using Allozymes, RAPD, and Microsatellites

Twenty-seven enzyme systems, six random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers, and two microsatellite loci were tested to determine intraspecific divergence in the natural population of the endangered Indian featherback fish, Chitala chitala, for the first time. The 262 samples of C. chitala were collected from six riverine locations in India: the Satluj, Ganga (Ghagra, Bhagirathi, and Brahmaputra), Mahanadi, and Narmada river systems. The analysis revealed population subdivisions, with an FST value from 0.1235 (95% confidence 0.0868–0.1621) for RAPD and a combined FST of 0.0344 (95% confidence 0.0340–0.0350) for microsatellite loci. An analysis of 38 allozyme loci did not reveal any polymorphism in the samples from any of the riverine localities; a possible explanation for this could be that the ancestors of Chitala could have faced a population reduction in prehistoric periods, as low allozyme variation is also reported for other species of Chitala from south Asia.

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in yellowtail catfish, Pangasius pangasius (Hamilton, 1822).

A total of nine polymorphic microsatellite loci were obtained from a genomic library of Pangasius pangasius (order Siluriformes, family Pangasiidae). Samples from rivers Bhagirathi (n = 22) and Mahanadi (n = 20) were genotyped for each of the nine microsatellite loci to determine genetic variation. The mean number of alleles per locus was 5.22 in Bhagirathi and 5.78 in Mahanadi; and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.567 (Bhagirathi) to 0.578 (Bhagirathi). Significant deviation (P < 0.003) from Hardy–Weinberg expectations was evident at three loci, Ppa2 (Bhagirathi), Ppa14 (Mahanadi) and Ppa28 (Bhagirathi and Mahanadi). The identified microsatellite loci were found to be promising for population genetics studies of P. pangasius.

Bio-banking: An Emerging Approach for Conservation of Fish Germplasm

Global biodiversity is declining with substantial losses of populations, species and habitats causing a significant impact on human life. Holistic and integrated approach for biodiversity conservation requires concrete and urgent action. Although there is increasing concern over the loss of species and degradation of habitat, still more innovative efforts are required. Biobanking holds immense promise to provide biomaterial for conservation of fish germplasm. Establishment of repositories along with gene banks could provide opportunities for collaboration among the leading experts in the fields of fish ecology, physiology, and cryobiology to synthesize effective ways for conservation of fish genetic resources, and discuss what needs to be done to increase the impact in the next century. The article reviews different causes for loss of fish biodiversity, the ways to overcome the situation and advocates cell line repository as an alternative aid to conserve fish germplasm.