| Pacu (Piaractus
mesopotamicus): This commercially important fish is native to the
rivers of Brazil. A large migratory fish, 600 mm in
length, this is the species most often released into non-native waters
causing the piranha scares in the media since they are misidentified
by experts as their carnivore cousins (same subfamily). It is a scavenger which eats
vegetation, mostly fruit, that falls into the water as well as an occasional small
fish or insect. (Credit: Non-indigenous fish site) |
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Project Mentor:
Daniela Calcagnotto, Ph.D. from Brazil |
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| Purpose of Project: How much variation can be found among five populations of Pacu at four microsatellite loci in the noncoding sections of DNA? The samples were collected by Daniela from fish in the Cuiaba, Paraguay, Miranda, Taquari and Aquidauana Rivers in Brazil. |
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Results:
The results of this research are being prepared for publication and therefore cannot yet be posted. Please check back for update.
Conclusion:
The microsatellite is an appropriate tool for investigating the population structure of fish population.
References:
www.nas.er.usgs.gov/fishes/accounts/characid/pi_mesop
www.eco.sci.kkun.nl/AnimalEcology/Stages%20Nolan/stage204
D.Calcagnotto,M.Russello and R.DeSalle, Isolation and Characterization of microsatellite loci in Piaractur mesotamicus and their applicability in other Serrasalminae fish.