Biodiversity of the Betta smaragdina (Teleostei: Perciformes) in the northeast region of Thailand as determined by mitochondrial COI and nuclear ITS1 gene sequences

Abstract

In Thailand, there are currently five recognized species members of the bubble-nesting Betta genus, namely Betta splendens, B. smaragdina, B. imbellis, B. mahachaiensis and B. siamorientalis. In 2010, we indicated the possibility, based on COI barcoding evidence, that there might be two additional species, albeit cryptic, related to the type-locality B. smaragdina in some provinces in the northeast of Thailand. In the present study, after a more extensive survey of the northeast, and phylogenetic analyses based on COI and ITS1 sequences, the B. smaragdina group may be composed of at least 3 cryptic species members. The phylogenetic positions of these B. smaragdina group members in the bubble-nesting bettas' tree together with those of their congeners have been consolidated by better DNA sequence quality and phylogenetic analyses. With a better supported tree, the species statuses of B. siamorientalis and the Cambodian B. smaragdina-like fish, B. stiktos, are also confirmed.

Concurrent infections of Flavobacterium columnare and Edwardsiella ictaluri in striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus in Thailand

“…Crude DNA extracts from fish samples were prepared according to a previous report (Kowasupat et al, 2014). Briefly, approximately 5 mg of fish muscle tissue was incubated with 180 μL of 50 mM NaOH at 95°C for 10 min.…”

“…Primers used for PCR amplification of fish DNA sequences listed in Table 1 included universal primers targeting eukaryotic 18S rDNA (Medlin et al, 1988), specific primers for fish COI (cytochrome c oxidase I), ITS (internal transcribed spacer), and RAG1 (recombinase activating gene 1). PCR reactions and thermocycling conditions were carried out using previously described protocols (Kowasupat et al, 2014).…”

Vertical transmission and concurrent infection of multiple bacterial pathogens in naturally infected red tilapia (Oreochromisspp.)

“…). Extracted nucleic acids were quantified using nanodrop (Thermo Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) and was diluted to a final concentration of 100 ng μL −1 , and 2 μL of the resulting solution was determined for cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI) (Kowasupat, Panijpan, Laosinchai, Ruenwongsa, Phongdara, Wanna, Senapin & Phiwsaiya ) amplification before used as the template for the LAMP assay. Isolation and confirmation of S. putrefaciens isolates by biochemical tests and sequencing was followed according to the previous protocol (Suebsing, Kampeera, Sirithammajak, Pradeep et al .…”

Discovery of wild populations of Betta smaragdina Ladiges, 1972 (Teleostei, Osphronemidae) in a western province of Thailand

“…These 5 species can be distinguished from one another morphologically, especially when the fully-grown males are in full aggressive display. Among these Thailand Betta fishes, cryptic species within B. smaragdina (Kowasupat et al 2014) are the only ones with tens of bluish-green iridescent plates on the head region covering the opercles down to the lower part of the mouth region. These plates are usually well separated and can be very small.…”