Comparative taxonomy and breeding behaviour of five populations of betta pugnax group (osphronemidae) from Johor, Malaysia

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Date
2009-07
Authors
Teow Yeong, Lim
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Abstract
The taxonomy and breeding behaviour of the Betta pugnax group based on five populations from Johor, Malaysia was investigated. Meristic, traditional and truss network morphometric techniques were conducted on these populations to assess their taxonomy status and quantitative morphological differentiation. In addition, their colouration and habitat were also recorded. The quantitative data was analysed by univariate analysis of variance (ANOV A) and multivariate analyses of principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant function analysis (DFA). The Mersing Forest Reserve (I), Kampung Sinar Harapan (III) and Kampung Parit Jepon (IV) populations were identified as B. pugnax. There were significant variations for both morphometric approaches among the three populations. The meristic counts showed no significant differences among all populations. Their colouration and reproductive behaviour were similar. They were found in both clearwater as well as blackwater habitats and this had not been previously reported. The population (V) from Parit Lapis 2 was identified as B. pulchra. It differed from B. pugnax by its stouter body. The caudal fin shape and the intensity of the iridescent scales of B. pulchra were changeable and unreliable for taxonomic identification. The reproductive behaviour of B. pu/chra was similar to B. pugnax. The population (II) which was caught together with B. pugnax from the Mersing Forest Reserve did not resemble any member of the B. pugnax group previously documented and most XV J ~: ~; probably represented a new species. It differed from other members of the B. pugnax group in having the following unique combination of characters: body depth 21.9- 26.7% of SL; head length 29.1-32.2% of SL; lateral scales 31-32; transversal scales 8-8~; having chin bar; second postorbital stripe on opercle; thin blue margin on anal fin and lower half of caudal fin. Its nuptial colouration and egg transferring posture were different from B. pugnax and B. pulchra. The female displayed an oblique posture when confronted by an intruder at the spawning site as compared to the horizontal position displayed by B. pugnax and B. pulchra. This conclusion is further supported by the inability of this population to crossbreed with the B. pugnax population.
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Keywords
Breeding behaviour , Five populations of betta pugnax , Betta pugnax group (osphronemidae)
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