en Genetics Genetics پژوهشي Orginal research papers <span lang="TR" style="font-size:11.5pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif"><span style="color:black">This study employed mitochondrial Cytochrome <i>b</i> (Cyt <i>b</i>) and Control Region (CR) markers to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of Bangladeshi and Vietnam-origin climbing perch (<i>Anabas testudineus</i>) populations across Bangladesh. A total of 320 individuals were collected from 16 sampling sites representing all eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh. Following quality trimming, 818 bp of Cyt <i>b</i> and 705 bp of CR sequences were analyzed, revealing 9 and 28 haplotypes, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that the majority of genetic variation was attributable to differences among populations (Cyt <i>b</i>: 95.6%; CR: 89.5%). Additionally, substantial genetic differentiation was observed between Bangladeshi and Vietnam-origin groups (Cyt <i>b</i>: 67.5%; CR: 73.0%). Pairwise Fst values (Cyt <i>b</i>: 0.815; CR: 0.804) confirmed strong differentiation between Bangladeshi and Vietnam-originated groups. Bayesian phylogeny and haplotype network analyses separated Bangladeshi and Vietnam-origin stocks into distinct clades. Shared haplotypes in Dhaka and Chattogram indicated admixture with Vietnam-originated stocks. Several unique haplotypes were identified in both Bangladeshi and Vietnam-originated populations, which may serve as markers for stock identification and broodstock management. In silico RFLP analysis identified seven enzymes (<i>AciI, HaeIII, HhaI, MboI, MspI, RsaI,</i> and <i>StuI</i>) for Cyt <i>b</i> sequences as cost-effective, practical tools for stock identification, while no diagnostic enzymes were found for CR. These findings provide a genetic baseline for conservation and selective breeding, and highlight the urgent need to protect Bangladeshi <i>A. testudineus</i> from admixture with exotic strains.</span></span></span> Bangladesh, Climbing perch, Control Region, Cyt b, mtDNA, Population structure, RFLP markers 895 915 http://jifro.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-4460-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Md.A. Shahariar atom.arif343@gmail.com 100319475328460059704 100319475328460059704 No Department of Genetics and Fish Breeding, Gazipur Agricultural University, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh S. Aditya milon3038@gmail.com 100319475328460059705 100319475328460059705 No Department of Genetics and Fish Breeding, Gazipur Agricultural University, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh Md.M. Hassan hassandon567badsha@gmail.com 100319475328460059706 100319475328460059706 No Department of Genetics and Fish Breeding, Gazipur Agricultural University, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh T. Saulin lizatanjina07@gmail.com 100319475328460059707 100319475328460059707 No Department of Genetics and Fish Breeding, Gazipur Agricultural University, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh A. Arif arif.zaman333@gmail.com 100319475328460059708 100319475328460059708 No Grameen Jano Unnayan Sangstha (GJUS), Charnoabad, Bhola, Bangladesh S.R. Deo shankodeo@gmail.com 100319475328460059709 100319475328460059709 No Upazila Fisheries Office, Birol, Dinajpur, Bangladesh T. Sharmin tishatahsina@gmail.com 100319475328460059710 100319475328460059710 No Department of Genetics and Fish Breeding, Gazipur Agricultural University, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh S. Nahar snahar@uab.edu 100319475328460059711 100319475328460059711 No Researcher V, Department of Laboratory Medicine, UAB Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America M.S. Alam msalambd@gau.edu.bd 100319475328460059712 100319475328460059712 Yes Department of Genetics and Fish Breeding, Gazipur Agricultural University, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh