Population Genetic Structure of Three Cichlids in ‎Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria


 Cichlids are among the economically important which serve as a source of food for people ‎around world. A deep understanding population structure and genetic diversity ‎cichlids vital initiation conservation policies sustainable aquaculture. There is ‎paucity information on patterns variations within cichlids in ‎North-central Nigeria. This study, therefore, investigated ‎Coptodon zillii, Oreochromis niloticus, Hemichromis fasciatus collected from different ‎freshwater bodies North-central Genomic DNA was extracted, five highly ‎polymorphic RAPD primers were used RAPD-PCR amplification genotyping ‎fish. Genetic polymorphism between three tilapia species examined. ‎Percentages loci, pairwise matrix, analysis molecular variance ‎‎(AMOVA), distances cichlid populations determined using standard ‎methods, dendrograms constructed an un-weighted pair group method ‎arithmetic mean (UPGMA). Overall, percentages estimated ‎among C. H. O. niloticus 5% 95%; 4% 96% ‎‎13% 87%, respectively. Our results suggest that have close evolutionary ‎relationship there no distinct differences basis sampling locations. ‎C. zillii more genetically closer than niloticus. study concludes ‎RAPD useful studying cichlids. therefore ‎recommends pool through proper maintenance ‎restoration polluted habitat to guarantee fishery production. However, markers ‎such microsatellite can be assayed further studies better results‎.