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Genetic Diversity Analysis of 11 Macrobrachium rosenbergii Germplasms Based on Microsatellite Markers
by
, and
Tianhui Jiao
1,2,
Yakun Wang
2,
Jie Wei
2,
Sikai Xu
2,
Qiaoyan Zhou
2,
Qiyao Su
2,
Bai Liufu
2,
Zhuang Mai
2,
Kunhao Hong
2,
Yayi Huang
2,
Zikang Tu
2,
Xidong Mu
2 and
Lingyun Yu
2,* 1
College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
2
Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animals 2026, 16(2), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16020270
Submission received: 10 December 2025
/
Revised: 13 January 2026
/
Accepted: 14 January 2026
/
Published: 15 January 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics, Breeding, and Farming of Aquatic Animals)
Simple Summary
Examination of newly developed genetic markers of Macrobrachium rosenbergii showed low genetic diversity in Chinese populations as a whole, raising concerns about the broodstock sustainability, while some Southeast Asian populations remain more distinct. These findings highlighted the urgent need to protect and better manage prawn germplasm introducing diverse populations into broodstocks.
Abstract
Macrobrachium rosenbergii is one of the largest and most economically significant freshwater prawns worldwide. Understanding its population genetic structure is essential for optimizing cross-breeding strategies, conserving germplasm resources, and supporting sustainable aquaculture. However, progress in this area has been hindered by the limited availability of reliable molecular markers. In this study, we developed 20 polymorphic microsatellite primer pairs and applied them to assess the genetic diversity of 11 populations collected from China and Southeast Asia (including Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Taiwan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Thailand). All loci exhibited high levels of polymorphism. The number of alleles (Na) ranged from 5 to 27, while the mean observed heterozygosity (Ho), expected heterozygosity (He), and polymorphism information content (PIC) were 0.570, 0.720, and 0.686, respectively. The genetic differentiation coefficient (Fst) among populations ranged from 0.017 to 0.289. UPGMA clustering revealed that the Myanmar population formed an independent branch, whereas the remaining ten populations clustered together, indicating relatively close genetic relationships among them. Beyond enriching the currently limited molecular marker resources for M. rosenbergii, this study provides essential baseline data for evaluating genetic diversity in existing populations and establishes a solid molecular foundation for future genetic monitoring and breeding programs.
