Population connectivity and genetic structure of Asian green mussel,Perna viridisalong Indian waters assessed using mitochondrial markers

Perna viridis(Linnaeus, 1758), the Asian green mussel, belonging to the family Mytilidae is widely distributed along the Indian coast. The species is majorly found in southeastern countries and is considered an ideal candidate for aquaculture due to its high nutritional value and growth rate. Obtaining their genetic information is essential for their sustainable capture-based production. In the present study, genetic variation, population structure, and demographic processes of the populations across the distribution of this species were assessed using the mitochondrial DNA ATPase6 and cytb gene. In total, we selected 170 samples from five localities across the Indian subcontinent including Andaman Sea. Sequence analysis of partial cytb (885 bp) and ATPase6 (714 bp) genes revealed 45 and 58 haplotypes, respectively. The significant coefficient of genetic differentiation (F-ST: 0.255 for cytb and 0.252 for ATPase6) and analyses of molecular variance indicated three varieties of stocks, namely Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Andaman Sea. All the populations showed low nucleotide diversity, suggesting severe historical bottleneck events and high haplotype diversity, indicating population expansion. The genetic variation and demographic process reported in this study will form the baseline information for framing policies, which can be adopted while planning stock specific ranching and relaying programmes in the Indian subcontinent with view to enhance and manage the fishery.