Genetics Diversity of Aphanius ginaonis and Aphanius dispar in Hormozghan and Bushehr internal waters using PCR-RFLP Molecular Marker

In this study, two populations of Aphanius ginaonis (Holly, 1929) and Aphanius dispar (Ruppell, 1828) were examined to determine genetic diversity using PCR-RFLP technique. A total of 60 individual specimens were collected from Hormozgan and Bushehr internal waters, comprising two sampling sites; from Geno hot spring (30 individuals of A. ginaonis) and Mir Ahmad hot spring (30 individuals of A. dispar). The D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA (550 bp) was amplified using PCR followed by RFLP analysis based on 5 restriction endonucleas enzymes (AluI, DpnI, Eco47I, HindIII HinfI). In order to undertake data analysis, Arlequin 3.11 was applied. Results at population levels indicated that Geno individuals have more haplotype diversity than Mir Ahmad individuals (9 and 3 haplotypes respectively). However, further investigation using genetic techniques is required to clarify the molecular history and evolution of Aphanius species in this area. Results obtained from this research would be applicable to understand conservation genetics and management of this important fish species in Iran.