Comparison of genetic variation of wild and farmed Bream (Abramis brama orientalis; berg, 1905) using microsatellite markers

Bream (Abramis brama orientalis) is one of the most commercially valuable fish inthe Caspian Sea. The aim of this study was to compare levels of genetic polymorphismbetween wild and farmed Bream populations using seven microsatellite loci. Geneticdiversity was investigated by studying samples collected from two regions; Chaboksarand the Artificial Propagation Center of Guilan province. Allele frequency was found tohave declined in wild and cultured fish due to inbreeding and genetic drift. Significantpopulation differentiation (Fst) was observed between wild and farmed populations,which could be explained by the low number of alleles in two populations. Significantdeviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found at more loci. Beyond thenull alleles'' hypothesis, heterozygote deficiency may have arisen due to inbreeding.Both populations showed lowest genetic diversity according to the number of allelesand genotypes per each locus. This approach was carried out for the first time and couldprovide information regarding the genetic variability of farmed and wild abramis bramafish using microsatellite markers. Results could be used for the management andconservation of artificial Bream propagation programs.