Unified Morphological and Genetic Analyses Confirm the Existence of the Dwarf Snakehead <i>Channa shingon</i> (Anabantiformes: Channidae), in Kachin State, Myanmar
Prior to this study, Myanmar was known to host 15 species of snakehead fishes (genus <i>Channa</i>) distributed across Southeast Asia. The region, characterized by its confluence of diverse river systems and two biodiversity hotspots, is presumed to have notable gaps in its biodiversity...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Fishes |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/10/3/100 |
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| Summary: | Prior to this study, Myanmar was known to host 15 species of snakehead fishes (genus <i>Channa</i>) distributed across Southeast Asia. The region, characterized by its confluence of diverse river systems and two biodiversity hotspots, is presumed to have notable gaps in its biodiversity assessments. Recently, a new snakehead species, <i>Channa shingon</i>, was discovered in China, with its potential distribution in Myanmar warranting further investigation. This study focused on exploring <i>Channa</i> species in Kachin State and examined collected specimens using an integrated approach. The specimens were identified as <i>C. shingon</i> based on their distinct morphological characters, with a maximum standard length of 99.2 mm. Additionally, mitochondrial <i>COI</i> sequence data were generated, and species confirmation was achieved through nucleotide BLAST searches, genetic distance estimations, and phylogenetic analyses. The DNA sequences of <i>C. shingon</i> showed a mean inter-species genetic distance of 7.97% to 27.41% compared with other <i>Channa</i> species in the dataset, while the intra-species genetic distance between the Burmese and Chinese populations was 0.27%. Both Bayesian and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analyses distinctly separated <i>C. shingon</i> from other congeners through a monophyletic clustering pattern, revealing its sister relationship with <i>C. rubora</i>. Overall, this study provides the first report of <i>C. shingon</i> from Myanmar and suggests its speciation from a common ancestor with <i>C. rubora</i>, likely driven by geographical barriers such as the Irrawaddy River. Furthermore, the study contributes a robust DNA barcode dataset encompassing 85.7% of the global <i>Channa</i> species diversity, which can serve as a valuable resource for further species identification, discovery, and diversity assessments of snakeheads from South and Southeast Asia. |
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| ISSN: | 2410-3888 |