Comparison of genetic diversity in two species of Golden mullet (Risso., 1810) (Liza aurata) and small mullet (Liza saliens) (Risso., 1810) in the southern Caspian Sea, using microsatellite markers

Golden gray mullet (Liza aurata) and small mullet (Liza saliens) species introduced from Black sea into the Caspian Sea in 1930 till 1934. Genetic diversity of marine resources has vital import in their management and protection, as this is the first prerequisite for maintaining the consistency of populations in an inconsistent environmental conditions. In this study, we have used five microsatellite locations to investigate the level of genetic variation of Liza aurata and Liza saliens in Gomishan and Miyankale in Golestan province, Babolsar and Chalus in Mazandaran province and Anzali and Astara in Guilan province. Liza aurata showed mean number of alleles per locus (Na)=15.46, observed heterozygosity (Ho)=0.843 and expected heterozygosity (He)=0.902 and in Liza saliens: (Na)=5.63, (Ho)=0.785 and (He)=0.619. This indicates that, although these species are an alternative good but it is possible that genetic bottleneck will be as in future years.