Genetic structure of Turcinoemacheilus kossiwigi (Banarescu and Nalbant, 1964) populations in Berim (Kohgiluyeh and Buyer Ahmad Province) and Kheyrabad (Khuzestan Province) River using microsatellite markers

Six loci microsatellites IC228، IC434، IC720، Bbar3، Bbar7 و Bbar8 were used to determine genetic variability and population structure at Berim and Kheyrabad rivers. Sixty samples (30 individuals for each river) were used. Total 125 alleles were detected with an average 10. 4 alleles per locus. The highest and lowest observed number of alleles was 17 and 6 for Berim population, respectively. The average observed (Ho) and expected heterozygosity (He) was 0. 467 and 0. 843, respectively. 10 Loci of our study showed significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Results Fst (0. 036) and Rst (0. 341) values showed low genetic differentiation among the populations; also, AMOVA analysis indicated only 3% genetic diversity between populations. Protection and restoration of habitats can help to increase the population size and decrease risk of vulnerability of the species in the future.