The Identity and Distribution of Striped Bagrid Catfish, Mystus Tengara (Hamilton 1822) Revealed Through Integrative Taxonomy

Abstract

In the present study, an integrated taxonomic approach has been applied to clarify the taxonomic status, identity and distribution of bagrid catfish, Mystus tengara. Comparative morphometric evaluation of M. tengara identified in the present study from distant geographical location revealed variations of the traits in response to body length and environment, without significant genetic distance. The observed morphometric traits of M. tengara were found to be overlapping with available morphometric traits of M. tengara, M. carcio and M. vittatus. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COI) gene also could not resolve their identity, and five paraphyletic clades comprising of M. tengara, M. vittatus and M. carcio from India, Nepal and Bangladeshwere observed. Morphological and genetic evidence along withcomparative evaluation of M. tengara, from its type locality, we consider M. tengara identified in the present study to be true, with its distribution extending from North East India to West Bengal, North India, Central India, Northern peninsular India and Bangladesh. The observation of paraphyletic subclade and evaluation of genetic distance between subclades reveals, there could be at least four cryptic species in this group. Further confirmation on the identity of M. vittatus and M. carcio, by integrated taxonomic approach based on fresh specimens collected from type locality, is required.