The application of microsatellite and mtDNA markers in the investigation of fish population genetic

The conservation of genetic resources in aquatic animals needs awareness about genetic reserves and genetic diversity among one specie's individuals and also needs the conservation of genetic resources in the hatchery or wild and natural communities. It will lead to some threats such as inter- and intra-population genetic diversity loss and species extinction if propagation and sea ranching program being conducted improperly. Determination and calculation of inter- and intra-assay genetic diversity are of general goals of population dynamic studies and population genetic studies the genetic cross and population evolution. Different markers are used to estimate population's genetic diversity. In recent years, DNA-based molecular markers have been considered as suitable alternatives for old morphologic and cytogenetic ones. Mitochondrial genomic markers mtDNA belonging to non-PCR-based markers and microsatellite markers belonging to PCR-based markers show diversity and heterozygocity suitably, thus have wide use in population genetic studies. From the molecular markers at mtDNA level, 16SrRNA is widely used in fish phylogenetic studies. On the other hand, microsatellites markers are very efficient and worthy in inter- and intra-population genetic diversity studies.