Application of mitochondrial DNA sequences of the control region in genetic variability of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser percicus) Populations from the Caspian Sea

Direct mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequencing analysis was used to investigate population genetic structure of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) in the Caspian Sea. A total of 45 specimens were collected from different locations of the Caspian Sea. mtDNA control region was amplified using PCR. Direct sequencing was performed according to a standard method. The results showed that 12 haplotypes were observed among 45 samples in the method. The highest numbers of haplotypes were observed in the Sefidrud River in which 3 haplotypes A, B and E among them were specific for the river and were not observed in the other locations. The average haplotype diversity (h) and nucleotide diversity (π) were 0.795±0.037 and 0.0062±0.0046, for control region sequencing, respectively. The results of Fst based on kimura- 2 parameters method and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) demonstrated that most variations occurred among the samples, and between samples of the Sefidrud and Russia and Azerbaijan are statistically significant (P<0.0001). Therefore, three distinct populations including Sefidrud, Russia and Azerbaijan were identified. As mtDNA control region is a highly variable segment, it may be used as a potential marker for identifying populations and for determining their management and conservation units, leading to the useful application of molecular markers in investigating conservation genetics of the Persian sturgeon.