Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on Genetic Variability of Yeasts inhabiting Mangrove sediments of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

The objective of the study was to investigate changes in natural yeast populations in mangrove sediments as a result of human (anthropogenic activities) disturbance. DNA techniques in form of Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) - PCR was employed in this study to assess the genetic variability of yeasts isolated from a natural sediment (non impacted) known as Ras Dege and another mangrove ecosystem which has been impacted  (polluted with sewage runoffs) known as Mtoni Kijichi both along the coast of  Dar es Salaam. A total of 25 morphologically different yeasts from the two mangrove sites were isolated and their genetic variability was investigated. The RAPD-PCR profiles did reveal more yeast genotypes (higher variability) in Ras Dege area compared to those at Mtoni Kijichi. Implying that, the anthropogenic activities have modified and reduced the diversity of mangrove yeasts to fewer genotypes. The results of this study points out to the negative impacts of dumping of untreated waste water in mangrove ecosystems.