Phylogeography of Betta and Trichopsis (Perciformes: Osphronemidae) Fighting Fishes in Thailand and Neighboring Countries

Parames Laosinchai; Bhinyo Panijpan

Authors

Parames Laosinchai Institute for Innovative Learning, Mahidol University, 999 Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
Bhinyo Panijpan Center of Excellence for Shrimp Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, 272 Rama VI Road, Ratchathewi District, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

Keywords:

Betta, Trichopsis, fighting fish, croaking gourami, phylogeography, Thailand, divergence time, descendant sequence likelihood

Abstract

Wild fighting fish species in the genera Betta and Trichopsis occupy freshwater habitats in Southeast Asian countries. The former’s paternal care for the fertilized eggs and hatchlings differ: one type, the nest-builders, uses a bubble nest built by the male for protection of the eggs and the hatchlings, whereas the male of the other type puts the eggs and the young in its mouth. The latter share the same habitats with bubble-nester Betta, with similar morphology and behavioral patterns. A previous study showed that during their speciation, one type of paternal care could be succeeded by the other. Our in-depth study generally agrees with the overall conclusion of the above study but with some differences in ancestry. By fixing the first speciation event among the Betta to about 22 million years (Ma—megaannus) before present (BP), we found that the bubble nesters in Thailand appeared around 14 Ma BP, while the northeastern variety emerged about 7 Ma BP. The three recognized Trichopsis species separated from each other approximately 5–6 Ma BP. In addition, attempts were made to address the fish evolution in the context of present geography and more recent geological events.

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