<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Nile tilapia <italic>Oreochromis niloticus</italic> is one of the most important fishery resources and a valuable fish species for aquaculture programmes. It is found in almost all waters and is widely dispersed. Several natural populations of this species have been impacted by genetic pollution despite their significant economic relevance. Understanding population structure is a crucial first step in protecting this species in its native habitats as well as in choosing which wild stocks to use in hatchery initiatives. To demonstrate the genetic-population structure of this species, genetic differences among three geographically secluded populations of <italic>O. niloticus</italic> were investigated utilizing mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene sequences. The results were used to estimate the levels of genetic variability within and among the populations. The 56 cyt b (821 bp) sequences analysis revealed 21 haplotypes, with a nucleotide diversity of 0.0510 and a haplotype diversity of 0.881. In each of the populations, seven (7) singleton variable sites and 19 informative-parsimony sites, genetic diversity could be identified and few population haplotypes were found, indicating a minor genetic distinction between them. For the purpose of conservation and/or Nile tilapia breeding programmes, this information would assist in choosing the fish populations that maintain greater genetic variation in <italic>O. niloticus</italic>.</p>
</abstract>

Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus is one of the most important fishery resources and a valuable fish species for aquaculture programmes. It is found in almost all waters and is widely dispersed. Several natural populations of this species have been impacted by genetic pollution despite their significant economic relevance. Understanding population structure is a crucial first step in protecting this species in its native habitats as well as in choosing which wild stocks to use in hatchery initiatives. To demonstrate the genetic-population structure of this species, genetic differences among three geographically secluded populations of O. niloticus were investigated utilizing mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene sequences. The results were used to estimate the levels of genetic variability within and among the populations. The 56 cyt b (821 bp) sequences analysis revealed 21 haplotypes, with a nucleotide diversity of 0.0510 and a haplotype diversity of 0.881. In each of the populations, seven (7) singleton variable sites and 19 informative-parsimony sites, genetic diversity could be identified and few population haplotypes were found, indicating a minor genetic distinction between them. For the purpose of conservation and/or Nile tilapia breeding programmes, this information would assist in choosing the fish populations that maintain greater genetic variation in O. niloticus.

Genetic Analysis of Three Geographically Secluded Populations of Nile Tilapia <italic>Oreochromis niloticus</italic> (Cichlidae)

Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology

Croatian Journal of Fisheries

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Genetic Analysis of Three Geographically Secluded Populations of Nile Tilapia  (Cichlidae)

Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus is one of the most important fishery resources and a valuable fish species for aquaculture programmes. It is found in almost...

Genetic Analysis of Three Geographically Secluded Populations of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Cichlidae)

Published Online: May 30, 2024

Page range: 49 - 55

Received: Aug 29, 2023

Accepted: Jan 31, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/cjf-2024-0006

Keywords
Genetic characterization, Mitochondria DNA, Cytochrome b, Nucleotide frequencies

© 2024 Omoniyi Michael Popoola et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Genetic Analysis of Three Geographically Secluded Populations of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Cichlidae)

Published Online: May 30, 2024

Page range: 49 - 55

Received: Aug 29, 2023

Accepted: Jan 31, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/cjf-2024-0006

KeywordsGenetic characterization, Mitochondria DNA, Cytochrome b, Nucleotide frequencies

© 2024 Omoniyi Michael Popoola et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Genetic characterization, Mitochondria DNA, Cytochrome b, Nucleotide frequencies