1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background To The Study
Population Genetics of aquatic species focuses on describing the genetic differences between populations of fish, between the individuals within the same population and between fish in aquaculture. For example, a brown trout from one part of Nigeria does usually not have the same genetic fingerprint (DNA profile) as a brown trout from another part of Nigeria, just as the North Sea cod does not have the same genetic fingerprint as the Baltic Sea cod. The genetic variation of contemporary fish populations is the result of evolutionary processes, reflecting both geographical separations of populations over thousands of years and genetic adaptation to local conditions. The genetic differences can be analyzed and described using modern DNA technologies, providing important information on the factors influencing the distribution and dynamics of fish populations. They also provide us with a technical tool for tracing individual fish and fish products back to the sea-areas or aquaculture plants from where they originated.
Population genetic analyses are used to determine the population composition of fish catches in order to avoid over exploitation of small and vulnerable fish populations. The analyses may also be used to control illegal fishing by testing whether landed fish and fish products originate from species and stocks which can legally be caught. Genetic monitoring also plays an important role in planning the long-term management of fish resources. The work is carried out by comparing DNA from contemporary fish samples with DNA analyses of samples from historical time series. This is done by comparing DNA from fish scales and otoliths sampled more than 100 years ago, providing insight into how wild populations have responded to stocking, fishing and environmental change. Thus, inferences from such experiment can be used to guide management in order to preserve the genetic variation, resulting in healthy and productive fish populations that can be exploited sustainably. Population genetics is the study of genetic variation among species, individuals and populations; fundamentally, it shows that distribution of genetic variability is affected by evolutionary forces of mutation, migration, selection, and random genetic drift (Hansen, 2003).
Assessing genetic diversity in aquaculture stocks or wild fish populations is crucial for effective management, interpretation, and understanding and of fish populations or stocks. Many characteristics and methods have been used to analyze stock structure in fish populations; they include ecological, tagging, parasite distribution, physiological and behavioural traits, morphometrics and meristics, calcified structures, cytogenetics, immunogenetics and blood pigments (Samaradivakara et al., 2012). Unfortunately, environmental variables often affect the relationship between genes and their phenotypic expression significantly. Thus, the population geneticists mainly focused on Mendelian traits in species widely used in laboratory studies or on available pure breeds of few species (Hallerman, 2003).
Capacity building also referred to as capacity development, is a conceptual approach to development that focuses on understanding the obstacles that inhibit people, governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations from realizing their development goals while enhancing the abilities that will allow them to achieve measurable and sustainable results. Due to the slow adoption of modern technologies by developing countries occasioned by poor economic status, research into applied population genetics of aquatic species in Nigeria is at its lowest helm. However, there is need for rapid capacity building and technology transfer in applied population genetics of aquatic species to increase productivity and for the creation of new and better breeds of aquatic animals in Nigeria.
1.2 Statement Of The Problem
Investigation revealed that molecular genetic markers used in applied population genetics are powerful tools to detect genetic uniqueness of individuals, populations or species (Doveri et al., 2008). Modern sequence based marker systems for genetic analysis such as Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) are now predominantly used in applied population genetics of aquatic species (Duran et al. 2009). However, Microsatellites have become the marker of choice for application in fish population genetic studies (Beckmann and Soller, 1990). They have multiple alleles which are highly polymorphic among individuals.
The polymorphism obtained with microsatellite markers has provided powerful information to be considered in the management of fish stocks (Alam and Islam, 2005), population analysis and biodiversity conservation. In addition; microsatellites have a wide distribution in the genome and can be efficiently identified, which is essential in studies about genetic variability of populations (Boris et al., 2011). High cost of developing species-specific markers has been the main challenge of microsatellite markers in Nigeria. Now, this can be alleviated with effective capacity building and technology transfer.
1.3 Aim and Objectives Of The Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Capacity Building and Technology Transfer in Applied Population Genetics of Aquatic Species in Nigeria. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the benefits of applied population genetics of aquatic species in Nigeria.
- To examine the level of practice of applied population genetics of aquatic species in Nigeria.
- To examine the benefits accruable form capacity building and technology transfer in applied population genetics of aquatic species in Nigeria.
1.4 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What are the benefits of applied population genetics of aquatic species in Nigeria?
- What is the level of practice of applied population genetics of aquatic species in Nigeria?
- What are the benefits accruable form capacity building and technology transfer in applied population genetics of aquatic species in Nigeria?
1.5 Significance Of The Study
The following are the significance of this study:
- The outcome of this study will expose the benefits accruable form capacity building and technology transfer in applied population genetics of aquatic species in Nigeria ranging from production of new and better breeds of aquatic animals to the increased productivity that will boost the economy.
- This research will be a contribution to the body of literature in the area of the effect of personality trait on student’s academic performance, thereby constituting the empirical literature for future research in the subject area.
1.6 Scope Of The Study
This study will cover various technology used in applied population genetics of aquatic species all over the world including microsatellite. It will also cover the benefits accruable form capacity building and technology transfer in applied population genetics of aquatic species.
1.7 Limitation Of Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- Time Constraint:
The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies:
Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this research work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
- Financial Constraint:
Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
