Probes for myctophid fish and a method for developing the same

Abstract

The DNA probes produced by molecular cloning and the characterization of specific gene region sequences is provided, these can be used as genetic markers for the genes such as Cytochrome b (cyt b); Mitochondrial control region (D-Loop); Inter Transcribed Spacers (ITS2) and Rhodopsin (ROD), 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA in mesopelagic lantern fishes which are found in the mesopelagic zones of the oceans where the photic regime is of dim light and associate themselves with the oxygen minimum layer, it also includes the recombinant DNA techniques for the preparation of specific gene probes and sequences of species specific primers of lantern fishes, novel gene probes and novel oligonucleotides for amplification of myctophid genes are disclosed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION [0001] This application is a Divisional application of Ser. No. 09 / 782,604, filed Feb. 14, 2001. The entire specification of the aforementioned application is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to the molecular cloning and characterization of specific gene region sequences. More particularly the invention relates to genetic markers which have been identified in several genes such as Cytochrome b (cyt b); Mitochondrial control region (D-Loop); Inter Transcribed Spacers (ITS2) and Rhodopsin (ROD) in a mesopelagic lantern fish which are found in the mesopelagic zones and associate themselves with the oxygen minimum layer. The invention is also concerned with the recombinant DNA techniques for the preparation of specific gene probes useful for identification of larval and adult life history stages of myctophids i.e. Lantern fishes. The invention also deals with construction of species specific p...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The methods are incompetent to identify the closely allied species, populations and the life history stages.

This is the major bottleneck for the proper identification, population dynamics and stock assessment of these fishes leaving their systematics unjustified.

In the first place, the fish are particularly fragile and easily damaged in collecting nets, so most specimens collected tend to be in poor condition.

The problems have been compounded since specimens of many forms have not been numerous.

It is difficult to collect ample material for the taxonomic studies using the existing conventional methods.

The midwater habitat of the fish make them a uncommon and difficult material to get for work as special gears are required on board of ship.

However, very little information pertains to the families of lantern fishes.

However, in the recent years, the molecular techniques using DNAs as the genetic markers have almost replaced these traditional methods with many shortcomings and providing information about only 1% of the genome.

There is absolutely no literature available on genetic assessment of stocks from the other oceans.

No patent is available on fish DNA probes and sequences as genetic markers particularly in the myctophid fish.