Mitochondrial 16S-rRna Gene of Two Species of Shrimps: Sequence Variability and Secondary Structure

Part of the mitochondrial 16S-ribosomal RNA gene (around 400 nucleotides) of Penaeus notialis and Penaeus schmitti has been amplified and sequenced. The comparison of sequences reveals an 11% nucleotide divergence between the two species. When compared with that of the homologous fragment in Artemia salina and Drosophila yakuba, the secondary structure appears well conserved in spite of high nucleotide divergence due to numerous substitutions and additions/deletions. Sequences have been obtained for six individuals of P. notialis belonging to the same population, their comparison shows a 0.7% nucleotide diversity.