Genetic Diversity of Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer) in Captive Populations

Abstract

This study examined the genetic diversity of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) captive populations using sequencing of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) fragment. The phylogenetic analyses of the 609 base pair regions of the COI fragment from 146 samples identified 15 haplotypes and divided them into two clades with a genetic divergence of 10%. Thus, phylogenetic results supported two genetic groups (the Australia/ Southeast Asia group and the India/Myanmar group) within the captive populations under study. Mixed levels of genetic diversity were observed among captive populations, which indicated a certain degree of inbreeding depression. The findings would be useful for future aquaculture management of captive Asian seabass in Malaysia.