Population genetics of the Malaysian blood cockle, Anadara Granosa, using rapd-pcr and partial mtdna sequencing methods

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Date
2009
Authors
Chee, Su Yin
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Abstract
The cockle culture in Peninsular Malaysia is an important commodity in Malaysia generating hundreds of thousands of ringgit each year for the fisheries sector. This important source of protein is high in demand in the food, import and export industry. Culturing the cockles in local farms help meet the demands of consumers as well as regulate the production to ensure constant supply. However, the species Anadara granosa is lacking genetic information which is an essential component in successful breeding, culture and conservation. Therefore, this study is designed to meet the need for a baseline study of the species to support management strategies. Ten populations of cockles were sampled off the coasts of different states found from the north to the south of thealong the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The cockles were collected in collaboration with the Fisheries Research Institute (FRI), Penang. The population genetics of the cockles were studied via two methods: 1. RAPD-PCR; 2. mtDNA sequencing. A total of 300 individuals were used in RAPD-PCR for the experiments. RAPD-PCR was employed in the first half of the project as means to obtain nuclear some genetic information. for the species which has never been studied before. The technique which did not require any background information about the species proved to be useful as it could illustrate homogeneity among the populations sampled along the west coast. Analyses also showed that the genetic differentiation was not directly related to geographic distancecockles were not geographically distributed. The second method, mtDNA sequencing, was employed to complement the information obtained from RAPD-PCR. The gene selected for mtDNA sequencing was cytochrome c oxidase I (COI). A total of 150 individuals were successfully sequenced to yield a partial gene 585bp in length. Statistical analysis showed homogeneity in general but did reveal some degree of variability between the populations in Johor and the restamong populations. It is We proposed that the homogeneity between distant populations could be caused by two factors; 1. the translocasportation of the spats, 2. from one state to the other manually for culture purposes or by current movements which carries the larvae is carried by current movement from the north of the peninsular to the south. The As for their variability found in Johora few states could be due to , pollution, mutagenic substances or physical factors such as the depth of the water column could be the cause. This population genetics study is the first for this species found in Peninsular Malaysia. The data from this study have important implications for fishery management, conservation of blood cockles and translocation policy for aquaculture and stock enhancement programs.
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Master
Keywords
Biological Science , Population genetics , Blood cockle
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