Genetic Diversity of Persian Crocodile Crocodylus Palustris Using Sequencing of D-Loop and Cyt b Regions of Mitochondria

Identification of the genetic features of Persian mugger crocodile, the Gando, is crucial in management planning for conservation and preservation of this endangered species. Therefore, this study is aimed to investigate the genetic characteristics of Gando in Iran, based on population studies of the conserved and variable regions of the mitochondrial DNA. For this purpose, 12 samples of skin tissue and blood were collected from three regions of Chabahar city, south east of Iran. After DNA extraction, conserved and variable regions of the mitochondrial genome Cyt b and D-loop were amplified using PCR. The PCR products were sequenced and results were analyzed using bioinformatics software based on nucleotide data as well as protein codons. Results revealed that all samples had similar nucleotide sequences and no genetic variation was found among the samples. The closest species to Gando were Crocodylus palustris and then C. porosus. Comparison of sequences with other Crocodile species revealed the presence of 12 polymorphic loci among 1156 loci studied and also 5 haplogroups were introduced. As we didn’t find any nucleotide diversity among studied samples, therefore, to increase the genetic diversity of the Gando, it is essential to include specific conservational plans for this endangered species.