This study examined the genetic diversity of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) captive populations using sequencing of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) fragment. The phylogenetic analyses of the 609 base pair regions of the COI fragment from 146 samples identified 15 haplotypes and divided them into two clades with a genetic divergence of 10%. Thus, phylogenetic results supported two genetic groups (the Australia/Southeast Asia group and the India/Myanmar group) within the captive populations under study. Mixed levels of genetic diversity were observed among captive populations, which indicated a certain degree of inbreeding depression. The findings would be useful for future aquaculture management of captive Asian seabass in Malaysia.

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