Genetic variation in strains of discus (Symphyodon aequifaciata) using RAPD PCR

Abstract

The DNA of five strains of discus (Symphyodon aequifaciata) were compared by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD PCR) using seven primers. Only two primers (ZG4 and ZG8) were suitable. Using primer ZG8, the red turquoise strain had five bands common to at least one fish of another strain and two bands common to all the fish in the red turquoise strain. Panda turquoise had one band in common with at least one fish of another strain and seven bands common to all panda turquoise. For royal red, these figures were five and one and for common brown they were three and one. Within the strains, the level of band-sharing was 0.83 in the red turquoise strain, 0.13 in the panda turquoise, 0.83 in the royal red and 0.75 in the common brown. Specific bands were found only with primer ZG8 in the common brown and panda turquoise strains. Using primer ZG4, very low variation was found between the royal red, cobalt blue and red turquoise strains. With both primers, the highest genetic variation was between the common brown strain and the others (0.33-0.83).