Genetic Relationship between the 8 Species of Genus Charybdis

Abstract

Horizontal starch gel electrophoresis was used to analyze the genetic variation and relationship between the Japanese swimming crab Charybdis japonica, C. annulata, C. feriata, C. miles, C. lucifera, C. anisodon, C. bimaculata and C. natator. Twenty one specimens of Ovalipes punctatus were collected from East China Sea to use as an out group in genetic relationship analysis. Sixteen allozymic loci of 11 enzymes were examined using muscle tissue. Gene substitution was found at 8 loci, AAT, G3PDH, GPI, IDHP-1, IDHP-2, LDH, MDH-1, and MDH-2 out of 12 loci in 8 Charybdis species. Genetic analyses showed that Nei's genetic distances were ranged 0.065-0.359 between C. japonica and genus Charybdis.