Genetic Monitoring and Molecular Phylogeny for Cymothoid Isopod Invasion in Egyptian Lake Qarun Fishes by Using adopted taxonomic marker (COI)

Abstract

Different types of aquatic ecosystem is abundant by a lot of crustaceans. There are species adapted to maximum of temperature, pressure and salinity. Isopods are a marine parasitic organism and commonly live in warmer seas. They are feeding on blood. Several species settle in the buccal cavity of fish. Parasite became a morbidity case in lake Qarun, GAFRD (General Authority for fish resources development, Fish Statistics yearbook, 2015). DNA barcoding gene (COI gene) was used to make the genetic characterization for the invasive species of Cymothoidae, Cymothoidae sp and recorded in the Genbank. Constructing a phylogeny depending on the degree of similarity between the new record (LC138010.1) and the other records of Cymothoidae species in the Genebank then the environmental conditions were compared according to the analysis of the constructed tree. Suez canal is the primary resource for the fingers of mullet which transferred to Qarun Lake (salinity, 49 ppt). Ballast water have an environmental effect by transferring the alien species in the Suez Gulf which have a warm weather. This study suggests that the Cymothoidae is expanded invasive species came from its habitat regions to a closed lakes which have a similar condition of water environment, temperature and depth to live and to be a morbidity in Lake Quran. Ballast water is a risky way to transfer the invasive species to Suez Canal then New Suez Canal poses and lead to biodiversity risks. Using eDNA techniques to diagnose the invasive species is very important unit which must be established in general authorities of fish resources and development in Egypt and other countries which invaded by different alien species.