Assessing Fish Invasions in the Ganges: Molecular Detection and Surveillance of Juvenile Invasive Species Using DNA Barcoding

The Ganges River, the life line of India is facing ecological threats due to invasive fish species. Effective management and conservation of native biodiversity requires accurate identification of these non-native species especially at their early life stages. This study evaluates the potential of DNA barcoding as a molecular tool to detect and identify juvenile invasive fish in the Ganges ecosystem. The genetic analysis identified the invasive species namely Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) within the collected juvenile specimens. DNA barcoding proves essential for biodiversity preservation as well as controlling invasive species particularly when establishing identities in their initial developmental phases. The identification process in traditional morpho-taxonomy needs entire developed specimens to achieve proper species determination because essential diagnostic traits appear fully during maturity.