Author(s) :

Javed Khan, Javed Khan.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Coptodon zillii, commonly known as Red belly tilapia is fish species of Cichlid family is native to Middle East and North Africa. This fish is naturally inhabit in rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, estuaries, and some time also found in marine water. The present study was conducted from 10 June to 15 July 2024 to investigate the morphology and molecular characterization of C. zillii by using Cytochrome oxidase sub unit I (COI) gene from Badri Khwar district Swabi Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. We collected 15 fish samples from the selected area and identified morphologically i.e., large, fusiform body that is deep and laterally flat, small head, and terminal mouth with power full jaws. dorsal fin with 14-16 spines and 10-14 soft rays, 8-10 gills rakers , brown-olive body color with red belly and 6-11vertical dark band and one or some time two horizontal bands, small cycloid scales and 28-33 lateral line scales. For further conformation, we sequence and submit the Cytochrome oxidase sub unit I gene to GenBank for the accession number as PV652643. The newly reported sequence from Pakistan showed high similarity almost 99.73% with other species reported form Africa, China, Egypt, Philippine and Nigeria. Additionally, we construct the phylogenetic tree to clarify the taxonomic status of this species. This study gives information to ichthyologist about the morphology and molecular study of C. zillii from Badri Khwar to assist the conservation and management strategies of this fish species.

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