Research reveals multiple introductions of Blackchin Tilapia in Thaila

Thansettakij•Economy•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Genetic research indicates Blackchin Tilapia in Thailand resulted from multiple introductions from West Africa and subsequent human-mediated movement.

•Research published in Aquaculture Reports analyzed 466 Blackchin Tilapia samples from 20 areas in Thailand.
•The study found 19 haplotypes and 13 private haplotypes, contradicting the theory of a single introduction source.
•Genetic links were found between Thai populations and natural populations in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin.
•Evidence suggests human-mediated secondary introduction, as genetic similarity does not always align with geographic distance.

Overview

•A study titled 'Genetic diversity, population structure and multiple introductions of invasive blackchin tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron in Thailand' was published in Aquaculture Reports.
•The research analyzed the mitochondrial control region of 466 Blackchin Tilapia samples across 20 areas.
•The discovery of numerous haplotypes and area-specific genetic patterns indicates that a single-source introduction cannot sufficiently explain the data.
•Blackchin Tilapia populations in Thailand show genetic relationships with West African populations, specifically from Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin.
•A significant genetic difference (P < 0.0001) was found between populations in Samut Songkhram and those in the Central region.
•The presence of Haplotype 1 in the East and South regions supports the theory of human-mediated secondary introduction rather than natural spread alone.
•The research does not identify specific companies, importers, individuals, or organizations responsible for the introduction.
•The findings provide scientific evidence to inform policies on invasive species import control, aquaculture surveillance, and population management.

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Key Entities

Organization

Aquaculture Reports

The journal that published the research on Blackchin Tilapia genetic diversity in Thailand.

Place

West Africa(แอฟริกาตะวันตก)ℹ️

The geographic region where the origin populations of the invasive Blackchin Tilapia are located.

Ghanaℹ️

A country in West Africa with natural Blackchin Tilapia populations related to those found in Thailand.

Côte d’Ivoire(Côte d’Ivoire)ℹ️

A country in West Africa with natural Blackchin Tilapia populations related to those found in Thailand.

Togoℹ️

A country in West Africa with natural Blackchin Tilapia populations related to those found in Thailand.

Beninℹ️

A country in West Africa with natural Blackchin Tilapia populations related to those found in Thailand.

Samut Songkhram(สมุทรสงคราม)ℹ️

The area where the first invasion of Blackchin Tilapia was detected.

Thailand(ประเทศไทย)ℹ️

The country where the invasive Blackchin Tilapia populations were studied.