Tracing genetic lineages of Macrobrachium rosenbergii from Taiwan populations: A mitogenomic approach

Macrobrachium rosenbergii, commonly known as the giant freshwater prawn, is a commercially important shellfish species predominantly cultured in Southeast Asia. Understanding genetic structure and diversity of each cultivable species is fundamental to effective broodstock management and genetic conservation. The present investigation was carried out to assess genetic diversity and the genetic relationships among the populations of M. rosenbergii in Taiwan and other Southeast Asian regions of the world. Using COI gene, a total of 68 haplotypes were identified across 12 countries, out of which 6 were specific to Taiwan, indicating low genetic differentiation within the region. The demographic analysis suggested a neutral population with signs of recent expansion in Taiwan. Since the species was introduced to Taiwan in the 1970s from various countries, the haplotype network analysis implied Malaysia to be the origin of the prawn population. Mitogenome sequencing, performed in the species for the first time, of Taiwan and Indian samples also supported these findings, revealing minimal differences in mitogenome lengths (15763-15,772 bp) and variations in the size and indels in some genes. Additionally, 1208 SNPs were identified from the two genomes. These SNPs can serve as potential markers for studying mitogenomes of this species globally. The results from the present study can provide important scientific source for understanding the population structure of M. rosenbergii worldwide.