Morphology and cytochrome b gene identification of Cempedik fish for ascertainment of domestication broodstock source in Belitung Island

Abstract

Cempedik, a native fish of Belitung Island, has economic potential due to its dependence on natural supplies in local rivers. Domestication efforts are needed for this species to continue its availability and protect the sustainibility of its natural population. However, there is little information regarding this freshwater fish belonging to Osteochilus spilurus and the emergence of phenotypic variations in fish with the same local name from different rivers. This study identified morphology and cytochrome b genes from Cempedik fish obtained from Gantung, East Belitung and Membalong, West Belitung. The fin membranes of fish from West Belitung are reddish in color, while the color is brownish gray in fish from East Belitung. Meristic variation is found in scales on lateral line. Fish from both locations were in different clusters in the phylogenetic tree construction with large genetic distances. It is possible that there are cryptic conditions or species differences in the two fish samples.