title: Biodiversity of the Betta smaragdina (Teleostei: Perciformes) in the northeast region of Thailand as determined by mitochondrial COI and nuclear ITS1 gene sequences.
abstract: In Thailand, there are currently five recognized species members of the bubble-nesting Betta genus, namely Betta splendens, B. smaragdina, B. imbellis, B. mahachaiensis and B. siamorientalis. In 2010, we indicated the possibility, based on COI barcoding evidence, that there might be two additional species, albeit cryptic, related to the type-locality B. smaragdina in some provinces in the northeast of Thailand. In the present study, after a more extensive survey of the northeast, and phylogenetic analyses based on COI and ITS1 sequences, the B. smaragdina group may be composed of at least 3 cryptic species members. The phylogenetic positions of these B. smaragdina group members in the bubble-nesting bettas' tree together with those of their congeners have been consolidated by better DNA sequence quality and phylogenetic analyses. With a better supported tree, the species statuses of B. siamorientalis and the Cambodian B. smaragdina-like fish, B. stiktos, are also confirmed.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Innovative Learning, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
authors.forename: Chanon
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kowasupat
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Unit, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Phayathai, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Bhinyo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Panijpan
authors.affiliation: Institute for Innovative Learning, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
authors.forename: Parames
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laosinchai
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Unit, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Phayathai, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Pintip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ruenwongsa
authors.affiliation: Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics Research, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand.
authors.forename: Amornrat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Phongdara
authors.affiliation: Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics Research, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand.
authors.forename: Warapond
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wanna
authors.affiliation: National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, Thailand ; Center of Excellence for Shrimp Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Saengchan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Senapin
authors.affiliation: National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, Thailand ; Center of Excellence for Shrimp Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kornsunee
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Phiwsaiya
keywords: Betta smaragdina; Bubble-nesting betta; COI; Fighting fish; ITS1; Northeastern Thailand; Phylogenetic tree