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)