Identification of genetic polymorphism in Mystus cavasius (Hamilton-Buchanan, 1822) from Gandhisagar reservoir and Bansagar reservoir, Madhya Pradesh, India

Genetic relatedness was estimated among 30 genotypes of two populations of Mystus cavasius i.e., Gandhisagar reservoir (n = 15) and Bansagar reservoir (n = 15) using 5 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR) markers. Ten primers were primarily scored of which, 05 primers showed polymorphism and these were selected for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to be used in the final molecular analyses. 64 scorable loci were generated in genotypes from Gandhisagar reservoir of which 62 loci (70.45%) were polymorphic; whereas, 108 loci were obtained in genotypes from Bansagar reservoir out of which 87 (98.86%) were polymorphic. RAPD analysis showed that the Bansagar reservoir population had higher genetic polymorphism than the Gandhisagar reservoir population. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) indicated low genetic diversity (Hpop = 0.2017 ± 0.1836; I = 0.312 ± 0.2599) and relative genetic differentiation among the populations (Gst = 0.2052) and restricted gene flow (Nm = 1.9369). The phylogenetic tree constructed by un-weighted pair-group method of analysis (UPGMA) showed that all genotypes formed two major clusters representing their respective geographical locations i.e., Gandhisagar reservoir population and Bansagar reservoir population. Present investigation elucidates effectiveness of balancing approaches to make polymorphism as descriptive and determined for optimum genetic amelioration and successful conservation of its genotypic variability. This study also showed high levels of morphometric and genetic variation in Bansagar reservoir population indicated dynamic evolution as revealed by genetic variations in genotypes.