ISRAELI JOURNAL OF AQUACULTURE-BAMIDGEH, cilt.59, sa.4, ss.206-211, 2007 (SCI-Expanded)
Genetic differences between Capoeta capoeta capoeta, Capoeta capoeta umbla, and Capoeta tinca were determined using PCR-RFLP of mtDNA cytochrome-b (Cyt-b) by amplifying approximately 400-500 bp of this region from each of the three subspecies. The restriction enzymes Spel and Hintl did not indicate genetic differences but Alul and Hpall did. Thus, PCR-RFLP of the mtDNA was used to distinguish between closely related subspecies without having to analyze the entire DNA sequence of specimens. Use of this technique demonstrated that the Cyt-b regions of the three subspecies have different base sequences. The similarity between C. c. capoeta and C. c. umbla is 71.4% while C. tinca is more distant (50% for C. c. umbla and 33.3% for C. c. capoeta). The Cyt-b similarity is consistent with morphological and taxonomical similarities. PCR-RFLP can serve as a tool for genetically identifying subspecies of fish in nature and in aquaculture.