Genetic diversity of Piaractus mesopotamicus (Characiformes: Characidae) broodstocks using in the restocking program of Tietê river, Brazil

Abstract

The restocking programs are being used more frequently as methods of fish conservation. However, the reduction in the genetic diversity can affect survival of juveniles used in this programs and cause effects on the wild populations. The aim of this study was assess the genetic diversity in three broodstocks (BA, BB and BC) of pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus of a Hydropower plant in São Paulo - Brazil, using in restocking program of Tietê River. Nine RAPD primers were amplified used extracted DNA from 89 fin-clipping samples. Sixty-nine fragments were polymorphic, 15 had frequencies with significant differences (P<0.05), seven were excluded, and six were fixed fragments. High values for polymorphic fragments (47.83% to 71.01%) and Shannon index (0.270 to 0.424) were observed. Most of the genetic variation was found within the groups through the AMOVA analysis, which was confirmed by the results of the identity and genetic distance. Ancestry levels (FST) among the groups values indicated little and moderate genetic differentiation. The estimate of number of migrants by generation (Nm) indicated levels of gene flow. Moderate genetic divergence between groups (0.214 to 0.259) was observed. The results indicate high (BA and BB) and moderate (BC) variability within broodstocks and genetic differentiation among them. The fish stocks analyzed represent a genetic base that will allow the fish technicians to release juveniles without genetic risks to wild populations present in the river. These genetics procedures can be used as models for other migratory species.