DNA barcoding, phylogeography and evolutionary dynamics of Chrysichthys auratus

Moharam Adel Mohamed Afifi; Ahmad Mosad Azab; Elham Ali; Ahmed Ghazy; Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed El-Tabakh

doi:10.1016/j.gene.2024.148448

DNA barcoding, phylogeography and evolutionary dynamics of Chrysichthys auratus

Gene. 2024 Apr 6:917:148448. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148448. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Moharam Adel Mohamed Afifi¹, Ahmad Mosad Azab², Elham Ali³, Ahmed Ghazy⁴, Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed El-Tabakh⁵

Affiliations

¹ Zoology Department Faculty of Science for Boys, Alazhar University, Cairo, Egypt. Electronic address: moharamadel@azhar.edu.eg.
² Zoology Department Faculty of Science for Boys, Alazhar University, Cairo, Egypt. Electronic address: amazab2000@yahoo.com.
³ Alazhar University, Cairo, Egypt. Electronic address: elham_ibrahim.sci@azhar.edu.eg.
⁴ Zoology Department Faculty of Science for Boys, Alazhar University, Cairo, Egypt. Electronic address: ahm.ghazy@azhar.edu.eg.
⁵ Zoology Department Faculty of Science for Boys, Alazhar University, Cairo, Egypt. Electronic address: dr.m.eltabakh2@gmail.com.

PMID: 38583817
DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148448

Abstract

This study embarked on an exploration into the genetic structure and evolutionary history of the Chrysichthys auratus species, leveraging PCR amplification, phylogenetic trees, and haplotype networks. Specific DNA segments were successfully amplified and visualized through electrophoresis. Newly obtained sequences were Bank into GenBank and given accession numbers (OR730807-OR730808-OR730809). The Neighbor-Joining method provided insights into the evolutionary relationships among taxa, further augmented by bootstrap values and the Tamura 3-parameter method. A comprehensive geographical haplotype network showcased pronounced genetic differentiation, especially between remote populations. Nonetheless, shared haplotypes between proximate regions indicated either ancestral genetic connections or ongoing gene flow. Employing the COI-DNA barcodes, an in-depth understanding of intra- and inter-populational genetic diversity was achieved. The study's findings unravel the intricate genetic landscape and evolutionary dynamics of C. auratus, offering novel perspectives into its demographic history across its vast native habitat.

Keywords: COI; Chrysichthys auratus; DNA barcoding; Evolutionary dynamics; Fish; Phylogeography.