Molecular genetic characterization of freshwater mussel lamellidens marginalis using mitochondrial coi gene

Samples representing three populations of freshwater pearl producing bivalve Lamellidens marginalis were collected from different parts of India. Phylogenetic tree constructed based on COI gene indicated these populations are the subspecies of L. marginalis. The COI gene sequence analysis confirmed the traditional classification of L. marginalis at molecular level proving that it belongs to Unionidae family. The phylogenetic relationship among three population and taxonomic status of L. marginalis was validated using mt DNA (COI) gene sequences.