Molecular characterization and phylogenetic relationships among species of the genus Brycon (Characiformes: Characidae) from four hydrographic basins in Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Brycon is one of the main genera of Neotropical freshwater fish. In Brazil, Brycon species have been found in many hydrographic basins, such as the Amazon, Paraná, Paraguay, and AraguaiaTocantins basins. We examined the phylogenetic relationships among the species Brycon orbignyanus, B. hilarii, B. cf. pesu, B. cephalus, B. falcatus, and B. gouldingi, using mitochondrial and nuclear molecular markers. Specimens of B. orbignyanus were collected in the Paraná River. Specimens of B. hilarii were collected in the Manso River. Specimens of B. cephalus were obtained from a fish farm, and 675 ©FUNPEC-RP www.funpecrp.com.br Genetics and Molecular Research 9 (2): 674-684 (2010) Phylogenetic relationships among Brycon species specimens of B. cf. pesu, B. falcatus and B. gouldingi were sampled in the Araguaia-Tocantins basin. DNA extraction was carried out using the phenol/chloroform method. Molecular polymorphism studies of Brycon species were carried out with the inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) technique, using the total DNA of six specimens of each species. In DNA amplification of B. cf. pesu, eight specimens were used. The partial sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome b was amplified by PCR. The PCR products were used directly in sequencing reactions. Each ISSR primer produced from 7 to 14 scorable and reproducible bands. The (GGAC) 3 A and (GGAC) 3 C primers produced the greatest number of species-specific bands. A 264-bp fragment, corresponding to the partial region of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b, was sequenced and used for analysis. According to the phylogenetic tree obtained from the data, these Brycon species can be divided into two clades: one comprised only B. cf. pesu, and the second comprised the remaining Brycon species. We conclude that ISSR primers can be used for the identification of species-specific bands in fish, such as Brycon spp.

Genetic diversity of Arapaima gigas (Schinz, 1822) (Osteoglossiformes: Arapaimidae) in the Araguaia-Tocantins basin estimated by ISSR marker

“…The possibility of estimating the genetic variability by polymorphisms in the DNA of an organism, as well as of the popularization of molecular techniques, has encouraged progress in studies of population genetics (Antunes et al, 2010;Moresco et al, 2013). These molecular markers are important tools for estimating parameters, such as levels of genetic diversity within populations and magnitudes of gene flow between populations (Avise, 1996;Woodruff, 2001).…”

“…Due to its ease of use, low cost and high sensitivity, ISSR markers have been employed in studies on genetic diversity of several species of plants and animals (Luque et al, 2002;Bornet & Branchard, 2004;Askari et al, 2011;Moresco et al, 2013), as well as studies of sexual differentiation in plants (Ehsanpour et al, 2008) and identification of hybrid fish (Bignotto et al, 2009;AlmeidaFerreira et al, 2011). This marker has allowed the analysis of the main parameters used for determining the genetic diversity and the level of differentiation between species and natural populations of Neotropical fish (amount of polymorphic loci, expected or average heterozygosity and the number of migrants per generation) (Paiva et al, 2006;Sofia et al, 2006;Lopes et al, 2008;Antunes et al, 2010;Almeida-Ferreira et al, 2011;Domingos et al, 2014).…”

Studies on the Genetic Variability of Three Fish Species (Cyprinus carpio specularis, Cyprinus carpio communis and Oncorhynchus mykiss) Collected from Kashmir (India) Using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) Technique

“…The RAPD was chosen because this is cheaper, simple and fast techniques for detecting genetic polymorphism at a molecular level. In addition, just only one primer could obtain the different profiles for genomic analysis (Raina et al, 2001;Antunes et al, 2010). The RAPD PCR-based method is used for fish species identification because it is a simple, specific and sensate method for genetic characterization (Asensio et al, 2009).…”

Molecular cloning and characterization of the pseudorabies virus US1 gene

“…In the course of evolution, viruses are generally conserved and only a few genes undergo mutation (Antunes et al, 2010). Thus, viral evolution can be discussed at the molecular level.…”