The molecular characterization of the whiting along the Turkish Black Sea coast using RAPD markers

SUMMARY The Molecular Characterization of the Whiting Along the Turkish Black Sea Coast Using RAPD Markers In this study, the genetic characterization and the stock differentiation of whiting Merlangius merlangus euxinus (Nordmann, 1840) population in the Black Sea coast of Turkey were carried out with the technique of RAPD (Random Amplified Polimorphic DNA) by using 14 decamer primer. The genetic relationship among the determined eight station was estimated by similarity index and cluster analysis. The lowest similarity (0.676) was found between "Karasu" ve "Rize" and the highest similarity (0.836) was between "Kıyıköy" ve "Zonguldak". At the end of the cluster analysis, it was concluded that there exist a single unit stock in Turkish Black Sea coast. The polimorphism which was determined with the data of RAPD confirmed the result of the stock discrimation studies of whiting population in the Black Sea. Key Words: Merlangius merlangus euxinus (Nordmann, 1840), Southern Black Sea, DNA Isolation, RAPD, Similarity Index, Cluster Analysis. VI