Genetic variation of two strains (Scaled and Mirror) of six hatchery populations of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) was studied using three microsatellite loci (MFW13, MFW17 and MFW28). The loci were amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The PCR products were electrophoresed on 6% polyacrylamide gel and the alleles were visualized by silver nitrate staining. All the three loci were found polymorphic. The average number of alleles was the highest in the population *SC-SMK (5.00) and lowest in **MC-SMK (4.00). Total number of null allele was more in mirror carp populations (6) than scaled carp populations (4). The average observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0.54 to 0.67. The average observed heterozygosity (Ho) was lower than the average expected heterozygosity (He) in case of all the populations. The population ***SC-BCH had high level of genetic variation in comparison to other five populations because this population had negative 1-Ho/He values in case of two loci out of three analyzed. The rest five populations had negative 1-Ho/He values only in one locus. In 6 of a total of 18 tests, significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg expectations (HWE) were detected. Pairwise Fst values were used to detect the genetic distance between the pairs of populations. The Fst value was highest (0.153) between the population MC-AFF and MC-SMK. Neis genetic distance value was also highest (0.462) between these populations. The Fst value of 0.153 represents a high level of population differentiation. The lowest Fst value (0.001) was found between SC-SMK and MC-SMK. This value was statistically insignificant.
*SCSMK- scaled carp from Sagor Matsho Khamar
**MC SMK- mirror carp from Sagor Matsho Khamar
***SC-BCH- scaled carp from Brahmaputra Char Fishery
Key words: Genetic variation, common carp, Microsatellite DNA markers
J. bio-sci. 14: 113-120, 2006
Genetic variation and genetic relationship among 13 Chinese and introduced cattle breeds using microsatellite DNA markers