Microsatellite markers to identify two species of Tilapiine fish, Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters) and O. niloticus (Linnaeus)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Forming part of a conservation programme, this study was concerned with two species of Cichlid fish (Oreochromis mossambicus and O. ni/oticus), which were brought into contact with each other by unnatural ways. They are now hybridizing to some extent and there is also evidence that the foreign O. ni/oticus may out compete the native O. mossambicus. To cast light on what the current distribution is of both these species and the hybrids in Southern Africa, it is important to identify specimens very accurately. In attempting to find genetic markers to distinguish between two species of Cichlids we tested 20 microsatellite dinucleotide (CAn) repeats during a preliminary study and found five of these promising to exhibit little intra-specific genetic diversity but large genetic variation between species. We amplified these five loci in 145 individuals from 10 populations, which included the two species and their hybrids. Exact sizes of the fragments were determined using an automated DNA sequencer. Between the two species, allele sizes were overlapping, but when data were analyzed by statistical models, the differences could be seen for populations, however on individual level there was overlap between the species. The hybrids were found to be intermediate positioned between the two pure species. Our attempt to assign individuals to populations provided doubtful results. Thus, using this set of markers, populations can be ascribed to one of these species, but not individuals by themselves.