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Polymerase chain reaction banding patterns of the 5S rDNA gene as a diagnostic tool for the discrimination of South American mullets of the genus Mugil
Author(s) -
RodriguesFilho Luis Fernando S,
da Cunha Divino Bruno,
Vallinoto Marcelo,
Schneider Horacio,
Sampaio Iracilda,
Fraga Elmary
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
aquaculture research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.646
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-2109
pISSN - 1355-557X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2109.2010.02698.x
Subject(s) - mugil , biology , mullet , genus , zoology , genotyping , evolutionary biology , genetics , gene , genotype , fishery , fish <actinopterygii>
The mullets of the family Mugilidae, and in particular the species of the genus Mugil , are characterized by highly conserved morphological features, which hinder taxonomic classification considerably. Given this, the present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the 5S rDNA gene – a rapid and low cost genotyping marker – for the discrimination of Mugil species. Variations in the banding pattern permitted the reliable differentiation of four species – Mugil curema, Mugil incilis, Mugil sp. and Mugil hospes – although those of three others ( Mugil liza, Mugil platanus and Mugil cephalus ) were identical. This suggests that these three forms have diverged very recently, on a time scale that has limited changes in the length of the fragments of the 5S rDNA gene. The results of the study confirm the efficiency of this marker as a diagnostic tool for the identification of Mugil species, and its usefulness for population management and pisciculture, an important economic activity involving this group.