Genetic diversity analysis amongst GIFT strains of Oreochromis niloticus using microsatellites

[Objective]The experiment was conducted to assess the genetic diversity of a new selected GIFT strain of Oreochromis niloticus in order to evaluate and preserve this strain as a germplasm resource. [Method]Genetic diversity of the newly bred F16 population of GIFT strain Nile tilapia obtained from Guanghui Farm Limited Company, Huangzhou (Guangdong, China) was analyzed using microsatellite markers. [Result]A total of 44 alleles were detected in the population by using 8 microsatellite primers, and the number of allele at each locus ranged from 3 to 8 with an average of 5.5. The mean number of effective allele was 4.77. The size of allele fragment ranged from 118 to 256 bp. The average observed heterozygosity was 0.8058 and the average expected heterozygosity was 0.7292. The average gene diversity between individuals within populations was 0.7044, and the mean fixation index coefficient of population was -0.2261. The average polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.7044. All of the 8 detected loci were in a high polymorphism degree (PIC0.5000). [Conclusion]There was rich polymorphism information content and wide genetic diversity in the population of GIFT strain of Oreochromis niloticus. This selected GIFT strain population still has wide selection potential and can be used as a base population for further breeding.