Genetic differentiation of endemic nile perch Lates stappersi (Centropomidae, Pisces) populations in Lake Tanganyika suggested by RAPD markers

The genetic differentiation of endemic nile perch (Lates stappersi) populat ions in Lake Tanganyika was studied using RAPD. DNA was extracted from alco hol stored muscle tissue by a salting method, without organic solvents. Thr ee primers amplified 58 variable DNA fragments from 270 individuals from fi ve localities. The genetic distances of local samples as inverse of bandsha ring ranged from 0.097 to 0.312. The population sampled in Kigoma, close to the estuary of the Malagarazi river showed high values of genetic distance in pairwise comparisons with other sampled populations. Principal componen t analysis separated the main population and the 25 samples from Kigoma wit h high eigenvalues. Five individuals sampled in Kigoma were united with the main population, as confirmed by significant differences in band frequence s. The local population in Kigoma had significantly different frequencies i n 24 RAPD bands when compared to the pooled samples of Lates stappersi. No clearly diagnostic fragments were found. The genetic distance (1-F) between the Kigoma population and the united main stock was 0.195. Based on Slatki n's index on private alleles, the level of migration between Kigoma and all other sampling sites united, migration is restricted (Nm = 0.43) and allow s genetic separation.