An investigation on the PCR-RFLP variation of the mtDNA control region (D-Loop) in estuarine and wetland types of wild Common carp,Cyprinus carpio, in the South-West Caspian Sea

Two wetland and estuarine types of wild Common carp, Cyprinus carpio, are found in the Caspian Sea and its basin as one of the natural habitats of this species. Considering the importance of the genetic variation and population structure studies for management and conservation of species, variation of control region (D-loop) in wild stocks of common carp in the south-western Caspian Sea was investigated using PCR-RFLP. Eighty adult wild common carp were collected from two stations including Sorkhankol wild refuge and Caspian Sea estuary (40 individuals from each station) and forty enzymes were screened to find any genetic differences between the noted stations. Only four enzymes (TasI, SmaI, SspI and ApoI) were polymorphic the results showed three composite haplotypes between the two stations. Haplotypes BBBA and AAAB were recognized only in Sorkhankol station while all individuals that captured from Caspian Sea estuary were presented only by one haplotype (AAAA). It can be concluded that the PCR-RFLP method in mtDNA D-loop region is a suitable maker for maternal inheritance studies of the wild common carp populations. Based on the results, it could be concluded that there were low level of genetic differences between two wetland and estuary types of the wild common carp in the southwestern Caspian Sea. The results of this study may be used for conservation and restocking program of wild common carp in the region.