a study on population genetics of vimba vimba persa (pallas, 1814) using microsatellite markers in gilan province, the southern caspian sea

population of vimba vimba persa was investigated using microsatellite markers originated from two regions along the iranian coastline of southern caspian sea (anzali lagoon and havigh river in gilan province). totally 153 alleles were identified. the highest number of alleles per ca3 loci was 17 and the lowest 3 in z8145 loci with means of 7.6. observed and expected heterozygosity averages were 0.79 and 0.76, respectively. most cases deviated significantly from hardy-weinberg equilibrium (p?0.01). the estimation of fst (p?0.01) identified significantly two populations of vimba vimba persa in the caspian sea. studies of this kind assist conservation of this species, sustainable harvest and restocking of the populations.