The study analyzed the genetic diversity and population structure of 'white' type Northern snakehead populations using mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences, comparing them with 'bicolor' type populations.
A total of 28 mutation loci and 30 haplotypes were identified, with 'white' type populations showing lower haplotype and nucleotide diversity compared to 'bicolor' type populations.
The research highlighted significant genetic differentiation in 'bicolor' populations, while 'white' type populations had close genetic distances, suggesting a need to protect their genetic diversity to prevent inbreeding during breeding efforts.