Determination of Genetic Diversity in Achantobrama marmid (Heckel, 1843) Populations of Euphrates and Tigris River by Using mtDNA cyt b Gene Sequences

Acanthobrama marmid (Heckel, 1843), a natural inhabitant of the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, has economic importance since it is a fish species consumed by human. Genetic variability of this species needs to be known for management and conservation. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic diversity of A. marmid species with respect to mtDNA cyt b gene sequences and to obtain the information necessary for the identification and management. The present research evaluated genetic variability using sequence analysis of 520 bp locus on mtDNA cytochrome b (cyt b) on 42 individuals in 2 populations from the Ad？yaman and Bismil localities. A total of 4 variable sites and 5 haplotypes were identified for this locus. It was seen that haplotype H1 was common for both localities while haplotype H4 was found only in Ad？yaman and haplotypes H2, H3, and H5 were only observed in Bismil. Considering both haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity, Bismil population had higher values than Ad？yaman population. All haplotypes detected for mtDNA cyt b gene site were new results for literature and provided an important data set for genetic diversity of this species