Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Aquaculture

Publisher

Elsevier Science Publishers

Publication Date

1992

First Page

29

Last Page

42

Volume Number

102

Abstract/ Summary

Restriction endonuclease analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was used to characterize differentiation among the seven described subspecies of Oreochromis niloticus from East Africa and Egypt. Mitochondrial DNAs of 14 populations were examined with 42 restriction endonucleases. Two subspecies of Oreochromis spilurus were also examined. Approximately 8% of the mitochondrial genome of O. niloticus (17 070 ± 40 base pairs) was assayed; 29 (70%) of the 42 restriction enzymes that were examined displayed restriction phenotypes that varied among the samples analyzed. Several endonucleases produced restriction phenotypes which were diagnostic for the described subspecies of O. niloticus, though a few samples did not agree with the conventional taxonomy of the group. Extensive differentiation of some populations suggests that additional taxonomic recognition is warranted. Because all subspecies of Oreochromis niloticus could be distinguished by their unique restriction enzyme profiles, analysis of mtDNA can be used to identify the origin of cultured stocks. This study provides the first molecular key for the objective identification of this taxon.

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Seyoum, S. and Kornfield, I., 1992. Identification of the subspecies of Oreochromis niloticus (Pisces: Cichlidae) using restriction endonuclease analysis of mitochondrial DNA. Aquaculture, 102: 29- 42.

Publisher Statement

© 1992 Elsevier Science Publishers

DOI

10.1016/0044-8486(92)90286-T

Version

publisher's version of the published document

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