Abstract
Biochemical genetic and karyomorphological studies were evaluated for taxonomic importance. Five Schizothorax species namely: Schizothorax niger, Schizothorax curvifrons, Schizothorax esocinus, Schizothorax labiatus and Schizothorax plagiostomus were studied in this experiment as a model for serum proteins and chromosomal analysis. Serum protein band patterns of Schizothorax species complex were studied by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Their electrophoretograms revealed similarities as well as differences in the number and molecular weight of protein bands. S. esocinus showed five bands, S. curvifrons five, S. niger seven, S. labiatus and S. plagiostomus each showed six bands; they also showed species characteristic bands. Karyotypic study of these was carried out. The diploid chromosome numbers recorded were 98 in S. niger (24 m + 32 sm + 22 st + 20 t), 98 in S. esocinus (30 m + 22 sm + 10 st + 36 t), 98 in S. labiatus (24 m + 20 sm + 2 st + 52 t), 96 in S. plagiostomus (24 m + 18 sm + 5 4t) and 94 in S. curvifrons (26 m + 20 sm + 20 st + 28 t). Coupled biochemical genetic and karyomorphological analysis proved a good taxonomic tool as the results were decisive in establishing the species status of these species despite their overlapping morphological characters. Key words: Schizothorax, serum proteins, karyotype, taxonomy, biochemical.
Highlights
Taxonomy provides a vocabulary to discuss the world (Knapp et al, 2002)
Due to the existence of morphological plasticity among individuals, conventional morphological characters are often found to be deceiving in exact detection of a species (Menon, 1989)
Separated serum was used for protein estimation and further for electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)
Summary
Taxonomy provides a vocabulary to discuss the world (Knapp et al, 2002). Most morphological features are plastic and have the potential of being modified by the environmental conditions (Svardson, 1965; Fowler, 1970).Due to the existence of morphological plasticity among individuals, conventional morphological characters are often found to be deceiving in exact detection of a species (Menon, 1989). Taxonomy provides a vocabulary to discuss the world (Knapp et al, 2002). Most morphological features are plastic and have the potential of being modified by the environmental conditions (Svardson, 1965; Fowler, 1970). Due to the existence of morphological plasticity among individuals, conventional morphological characters are often found to be deceiving in exact detection of a species (Menon, 1989).
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