Genetic variations in marine natural population - Measurement and utility in resource management and conservation: A review

A number of molecular and biochemical tools which can be applied to the ide ntification of species and the detection of genetic variation within specie s have been developed in recent years. All these methods rely on the abilit y to distinguish between variants of specific genes (DNA) or their gene pro ducts (such as RNA or proteins). The technique of gel electrophoresis coupl ed with histochemical staining of specific proteins (isozymes) has been wid ely applied in population biology. This paper reviews the laboratory method s and genetic interpretation of gel phenotypes along with statistical metho ds for data analyses. The applications and perspectives for identifying and protecting genetic variation within and among marine populations are discu ssed in the light of studies undertaken on fishes collected from different areas of the marine environment of India.