Abstract: The Asian arowana, Scleropages formosus (Osteoglossidae) is one of the most valuable species of the ornamental fish which has an important role on academic study and economic development. The present study assessed the genetic variation of three S. formosus stocks cultured in ponds using 39 polymorphic microsatellite primer combinations. The results showed the middle level of genetic diversity among all three stocks. The average values of observed Heterozygosity (Ho) expected Heterozygosity (He) for the red stocks are the highest which were 0.509 and 0.552, respectively. Genetic diversity of the green stocks was higher than the golden group. The inbreeding coeffcients within the subpopulation (Fis) and the differentiation index of population (Fst) analyses showed low genetic differentiation among three cultured stocks. The cluster analysis based on Nei’s standard genetic distance showed that the golden and the green stocks clustered together and the red stock was in another clade. These results would have important implications for future breeding programs, conservation and production, suitable management guideline projects for S. formosus in mainland China.
X.D. Mu, Y.C. Hu, X.J. Wang, H.M. Song, Y.X. Yang and J.R. Luo, 2011. Genetic Variability in Cultured Stocks of Scleropages formosus in Mainland China Revealed by Microsatellite Markers. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 10: 555-561.