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Genetic diversity of the tire track eel Mastacembelus favus in Southeast Asia inferred from microsatellite markers

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Abstract

The tire track eel, Mastacembelus favus, is an economically important freshwater fish in mainland Southeast Asia. Understanding the spatial population structure is important to design an effective and efficient management of the species. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity and structure of M. favus populations. In total, 519 individuals from 30 locations across its distribution range were genotyped using a set of eight polymorphic microsatellite loci. Results showed that populations in Mekong and Chao Phraya exhibited higher genetic variability than those from Gulf of Thailand and Malay–Thai Peninsula. Clustering results revealed two evolutionarily isolated groups geographically separated at Northeastern Cambodia; the more widespread group was further divided into two subclusters. The spatial genetic variation and structure of its populations are attributed to the evolutionary history and population dynamics of the species. The study provides important information for the management and conservation of M. favus in Southeast Asia.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Universiti Sains Malaysia for research funding (Research University Grant-1001/PBIOLOGI/815061) and for Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship Award (May 2013 to June 2016) to J.A.F.J. for his Ph.D. program. Fieldwork in Peninsular Malaysia was conducted under permissions issued by the Department of Fisheries Malaysia (Freshwater Fisheries Research Division) [Prk.ML(Peny.)GL01/59JLD2(25)] and Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia [PHNT100/22/16/Bhg5(91), PHNKN130/1/9(94) and PHN.NS.&M156/01/377KLT3]. We would like to thank Phanara Thach, Nguyen Hong Quyet Thang, Dang Quang Hieu, Preeda Phumee, Tinnapop Kuanwilai, Muhammad Fahmi Ahmad, Wan Mohd Amzar Wan Zainuddin, Muhammad Izzat Husna, Syed Ahmad Rizal, Haslawati Baharuddin, Mustafa Asmuni and Abdul Ghani Hassan, for their assistance in collecting and providing the samples. We also wish to thank the following collaborating institutions through the loan of tissue and fin samples: Kyushu University, Nagao Natural Environment Foundation and Fisheries Research Institute Malaysia. No potential conflict of interest is reported by the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Minden, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

    Jamsari Amirul Firdaus Jamaluddin, Amir Shah Ruddin Md Sah & Siti Azizah Mohd Nor

  2. Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute (IFReDI), Fisheries Administration (FiA), #186, Norodom Blvd., PO Box 582, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

    Nam So

  3. Mekong River Commission, 576 National Road #2, Sangkat Chak Angre Krom, Khan Menachey, P.O. Box 623, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

    Nam So

  4. Department of Freshwater Aquaculture, College of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Can Tho University, 2/3 Street, Can Tho City, Vietnam

    Bui Minh Tam

  5. School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

    Amirrudin Ahmad

  6. Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

    Amirrudin Ahmad

  7. Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, 34190, Thailand

    Chaiwut Grudpan

  8. Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

    Siti Azizah Mohd Nor

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  1. Jamsari Amirul Firdaus Jamaluddin
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  2. Nam So
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  6. Amir Shah Ruddin Md Sah
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Correspondence to Jamsari Amirul Firdaus Jamaluddin.

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Jamaluddin, J.A.F., So, N., Tam, B.M. et al. Genetic diversity of the tire track eel Mastacembelus favus in Southeast Asia inferred from microsatellite markers. Ichthyol Res 68, 529–540 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-021-00807-4

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