Assessment of Genetic Structure of Snakehead, Parachanna obscura for Sustainable Aquaculture

Parachanna obscura has potentials for aquaculture. Understanding of genetic structure of aquaculture species would enhance sustainable identification, culture and development. Hence, genetic structure of Parachanna obscura from river, lake and brackish water environments was assessed.  

River (R), Lake (L) and Brackish (B) water samples of P. obscurawere subjected to genetic analysis using morphometric and molecular tools. Phenotypic values (PV) of 14 morphometric attributes (measured in %standard length) and Coefficient of variability (CV) of PV were determined. Heterogeneity of PV were taken at CV > 10%. Values were compared across samples of R, L and B to determine phenotype traits of significant difference. Muscle tissues of subsamples from R, L and B were subjected to molecular analysis using 12.5% Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis-SDS PAGE.

Result revealed that 28.57% phenotypes of B and R were heterogenous compared to 35.71% in R. Meanwhile, R, L and B were significantly different (p<0.05) at three phenotypic loci (PAL, BD_MIN, and PvFL). Values in PAL followed L < R < B; BD_MIN followed R < B < L While PvFL followed R < B < L. SDS-PAGE revealed that 100% L and B samples reflected an allele at 35kDa locus while 100% R samples did not, thus indicating that L and B were genotypically similar while R was separated from L and B.

The results indicated genetic diversity of Parachanna obscura. Sustainable culture of the species will requires detailed genomic mapping/sequencing and assessment of aquacultural relevance of its strains.