Initial Investigation Of The Genetic Diversity In Mud Crab (Scylla Paramaosain) Collected From Ca Mau Province And Validation Of Novel Trait -Related SSR Markers

Abstract

Research background: The green mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) contributed significantly to the profitability of Ca Mau Province and the country's fisheries industry in general. Crab exploitation threatens the genetic diversity of crab populations and potentially causes crab inbreeding depression. This study was the initial step in the investigation of the genetic diversity of the Ca Mau crab population, providing further insight into the crab population's genetic diversity. The project simultaneously develops novel trait-related SSR markers. Objective: The research investigates the initial genetic diversity of Scylla paramamosain populations in Ca Mau province and creates preliminary data for efforts to conserve the genetic diversity of the crab population and the conservational strategy. The research also validates the novel trait-related SSR markers. Results: The genetic diversity analysis provided insights into the high level of genetic diversity belonged investigated populations as measured by the observed heterozygosity (Ho), the expected heterozygosity (He), Shannon’s information index (I), and the Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) based on the genetic distance matrix. Furthermore, the Chi-Square Tests for Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium were applied to evaluate the deviation of the population from the HWE. Four out of five loci showed a significant deviation from the HWE. The mean PIC of the used microsatellite markers was calculated at 0.5335, indicating the highly informative contents of the markers. The novel, trait-related SSR markers developed in this study were validated as failing to amplify. Conclusion: The genetic diversity of the Scylla paramamosain population in Ca Mau Province was considerably high, but the population structure remained unstable due to the hypothesized gene flow present in the population. The project provided useful information and insights for further investigation. To construct crab exploitation and farming strategies, the project requires a larger sample size and wider regional diversity.