Phylogeographic pattern of the striped snakehead, Channa striata in Sundaland: ancient river connectivity, geographical and anthropogenic signatures [corrected]

Abstract

A phylogeographic study of an economically important freshwater fish, the striped snakehead, Channa striata in Sundaland was carried out using data from mtDNA ND5 gene target to elucidate genetic patterning. Templates obtained from a total of 280 individuals representing 24 sampling sites revealed 27 putative haplotypes. Three distinct genetic lineages were apparent; 1)northwest Peninsular Malaysia, 2)southern Peninsular, east Peninsular, Sumatra and SW (western Sarawak) and 3) central west Peninsular and Malaysian Borneo (except SW). Genetic structuring between lineages showed a significant signature of natural geographical barriers that have been acting as effective dividers between these populations. However, genetic propinquity between the SW and southern Peninsular and east Peninsular Malaysia populations was taken as evidence of ancient river connectivity between these regions during the Pleistocene epoch. Alternatively, close genetic relationship between central west Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo populations implied anthropogenic activities. Further, haplotype sharing between the east Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra populations revealed extraordinary migration ability of C. striata (>500 km) through ancient connectivity. These results provide interesting insights into the historical and contemporary landscape arrangement in shaping genetic patterns of freshwater species in Sundaland.

Figure 1. Channa striata locality distribution.

1a) Map showing isolated regions involved in this study. 1b) Clustering of C. striata populations based on SAMOVA analysis indicated by different symbols: group 1 (triangles), group 2 (new moon) and group 3 (square). A indicates Bintang Mountain Range, B indicates Titiwangsa Montain Ranges. Population abbr.: TT-Timah Tasoh KN-Kuala Nerang JN-Jeniang SP-Seberang Prai TK-Teluk Kumbar KR-Kerian TR-Tanjung Rambutan TP-Tapah KJ-Kajang LG-Linggi YP-Yong Peng MS-Mersing KB-Kota Bahru BJ-Binjai KT-Kubang Bujuk KK-Kuala Krau SG-Sega TL-Tanjung Lumpur SB-Kota Belud KS-Kampung Kesapang SS-Sungai Sibuti SW-Serian CS-Takengon KP-Kampar.

Figure 2. Bayesian clustering tree inferred from ND5 gene.

Selected NJ bootstrap/Bayesian posterior probability values denoted at branch/node for better visualization.

Figure 3. Haplotype network diagram inferred from mtDNA ND5 gene.

Solid pattern represents populations assigned to clade I (northwest Peninsular), diagonal cross pattern to clade II (central west Peninsular and Malaysian Borneo except SW) and vertical pattern to clade III (east Peninsular, southern Peninsular, Sumatra and SW). mv = median vector. Numbers in bold are nucleotide mutation sites.