Genetic population structure of Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricta) using microsatellite analysis

Abstract

Information on the genetic structure of marine species is essential for stock improvement programs. In order<br />to analyses the genetic diversity of the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricte) by the microsatellite genetic<br />method, 64 samples were caught from the beaches located in Kish and Qeshm islands. Polymerase chain<br />reactions (PCR) of genomic DNA extracted from the samples were carried out using 5 pairs of microsatellite<br />primers. The results of this study indicated that all 5 pairs of primers were polymorphic. Average numbers<br />of real allele and effective allele were 4.90 and 2.99, respectively. Average rate of observed heterozygosity<br />was 0.570 and that for expected heterozygosity was 0.616. Study of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was<br />shown the entire locus had not equilibrium except Cm3 and Ei8 locus in Kish area. Fst (0.166) and Rst (0.634)<br />calculated by the Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) test illustrated that there are separate populations<br />of Hawksbill turtle in this part of the Persian Gulf (Kish and Qeshm islands). It seems that Kish's<br />turtles live under better conditions in contrast to their Qeshm counterparts. Diminution of genetic variation<br />within examined population decreases its adaptation to environmental alterations. We identified two different<br />E. imbricte populations from north of the Persian Gulf.<br /><br />