Genetic stock structure ofOsteobrama belangeri(Valenciennes, 1844) in Indian region

The concept of "state fishes of India": Current status, knowledge gaps, and strategic plans for conservation and sustainable utilization

The concept of "state fishes of India" highlights the importance and significance of the prioritized fish species distributed across various states within the country. This review article systematically documents the current status of state fishes from various perspectives, identifies the prevailing knowledge gaps, and also highlights the issues and strategic plans essential for the conservation and sustainable utilization of these valuable genetic resources. A total of 8357 publications were checked for the consolidated information on state fish species, and the appropriate items were selected under eight categories: biology, physiology and nutrition, aquaculture, habitat and environmental parameters, genetics and biotechnology, harvest and postharvest, fish health management, and others. The synthesized information was used to present the current status of research and development on state fish species. The knowledge gaps that are to be addressed are also depicted under the perspectives of fisheries management and conservation aquaculture. Based on the findings, strategic plans for the targeted conservation programmes are proposed and discussed under various in situ and ex situ conservation measures. Further, the departmental processes involved in the declaration, the importance of stakeholder involvement, namely, local communities and policymakers, in fostering effective conservation measures, and planning for utilization of these valuable fish genetic resources are also indicated.

Phylogeography of the Japanese scad, Decapterus maruadsi (Teleostei; Carangidae) across the Central Indo-West Pacific: evidence of strong regional structure and cryptic diversity

The Japanese scad Decapterus maruadsi (Carangidae) is an economically important marine species in Asia but its exploitation shows signs of overfishing. To document its stock structure, a population genetic and phylogeographic study of several populations of this species from the central part of the Indo-West Pacific region was conducted using the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Genetic homogeneity within the Sundaland region's population, including Rosario (the Philippines) and Ranong (Andaman Sea) populations was revealed with low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.001-0.003) but high haplotype diversity (h = 0.503-0.822). In contrast, a clear genetic structure was observed between this group and the northern Vietnam populations as revealed by F _ST, AMOVA and SAMOVA, while the central Vietnam population of Khanh Hoa is an admixed group between the two differentiated regional populations. The neutrality and mismatch distribution analyses supported a demographic expansion of D. maruadsi in between last Pleistocene to early Holocene period which influenced present day distribution pattern. Contemporary factors such as oceanic currents and different life history traits are also believed to play significant roles in the observed population structure and biogeographical pattern. Based on these results, recommendations on how stocks of the Japanese scad should be managed are offered.

Genetic divergence in natural and farm populations of Pengba fish, Osteobrama belangeri (Valenciennes, 1844), an endemic fish of North-East India derived from mtDNA ATPase 6/8 gene

Pengba fish, Osteobrama belangeri is a freshwater inhabitant, highly endemic, threatened and economically important minor carp for its food value. In the present investigation, population structure of O. belangeri was examined using mitochondrial ATPase 6/8 gene from geographically distinct locations along the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. A total of 80 individuals were collected belonging to natural and farm populations. The hierarchical analysis of molecular variance and conventional Fst values (0.825 in ATPase 6/8, p < .05) indicated significant genetic structure among populations. The result showed that ATPase 6/8 genes are potential marker in determining the genetic divergence between natural and farm populations of O. belangeri from North-East India.