Study of eight species of the Anostomidae family (Pisces, Characiformes) by RAPD analysis

Abstract

Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) techniques were applied to eight Anostomidae species to analyze the genetic variability and genetic similarity within and between species. The results obtained were compared to those from isoenzyme analysis executed for many of the species studied. The proportion of polymorphic loci obtained with 10 primers was over 40%, with the exception of Leporinus amblyhynchus. This is especially important since genetic variability is a population feature both for short term fitness of the individual and for the long term survival of populations. Through subsequent analysis of dendrograms it was possible to discriminate the two Schizodon species from those of the genus Leporinus, even though it was impossible to differentiate L. obtusidens and L. elongates. RAPD analysis indicates that the two species are genetically very similar, supported too by isoenzyme data