Comparative phylogenetic analysis of COX1 and Cyt b markers in Teleosts from Central India

Abstract

Biodiversity of freshwater fishes in Central India is an important, yet largely untapped genetic resource, especially in arguably important freshwater systems, like the Narmada River. Molecular phylogenetics is a useful process to document evolutionary relations and genetic diversity of fishes in Central India. In this study, data was collected and analyzed on nine freshwater fishes Ompok bimaculatus, Chitala chitala, Wallago Attu, Rita Rita, Ophichthys cuchia, Hypostomus plecostomus, Pangasius pangasius, Tor tor, and Tor malabaricus using two mitochondrial DNA markers, cytochrome b (Cyt b) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1). Construction of phylogenetic trees using maximum likelihood methods revealed similarities in clade formation for both mitochondrial markers. Overall, we found Tor tor and Tor malabaricus were always the pair that were closest together. There were some notable topological differences between markers with respect to Wallago Attu, Rita Rita and Ophichthys cuchia, indicating that Cyt b and COX1 varied in their capacity to resolve taxa. These results provide a new perspective on phylogenetic affinities between native taxa and expand the molecular reference point for future ecological, evolutionary and conservation studies in Central India. Importantly, building on earlier foundational study in teleost phylogenetics.