Genetic diversity analysis of first filial generation of seven introduced Litopenaeus vannamei populations using microsatellite DNA markers

Microsatellite DNA markers were used to assess the genetic diversity of first filial generation of seven introduced Litopenaeus vannamei populations, named TH-A1, TH-A2, TH-B, US-C1, US-C2, US-C3 and US-C4, respectively. The results show that the seven populations had varying polymorphism at 12 microsatellite loci, with the mean allele number (N_a) ranging from 3.333 to 6.167. The mean values of expected (H_e) and observed (H_o) heterozygosity were 0.477–0.670 and 0.370–0.505, respectively. The polymorphic information content (PIC) for each population varied from 0.414 to 0.623. For Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test, 44 out of 88 exhibited significant deviation (P<0.05), which corresponded with the fact thatH_e was slightly higher than H_o. Cluster analysis shows that the seven populations were clustered into three branches (TH-A1; US-C1, US-C2 and TH-A2; the rest). It is indicated that the genetic characteristics vary in different cultured populations of L. vannamei. The results provide references for further exploration of relevance between genetic characteristics and practical performance of L. vannamei.