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INDIA
O
16 N
O
17 N
O
18 N
O
19 N
O
20 N
O
15 N
O
74 E
O
73 E
O
72 E
O
75 E
Diversity and distribution of hillstream loaches (Teleostei: Balitoridae, Nemacheilidae)
in the northern western ghats of india
1 2 3 4
Ashwini Keskar , Pradeep Kumkar , Anand D. Padhye and Neelesh Dahanukar
1,4 1
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, Maharahtra; Department of Biodiversity, Abasahab Garware College, Pune, Maharashtra.
2 3
Department of Zoology, Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Pune, Maharashtra; Department of Zoology, Abasahab Garware College, Pune, Maharashtra.
ABSTRACT
Hillstream loaches of the families Balitoridae and Nemccheilidae are relatively less studied in the Western Ghats of
Maharashtra. Currently, only one species of balitorid loach, viz. Balitora laticauda Bhoite, Jadhav & Dahanukar,
2012, and five species of nemacheilid loaches, viz. Acanthocobitis mooreh (Sykes, 1839), Indoreonectes
evezardi (Day, 1872), Nemacheilus anguilla Annandale, 1919, Nemachilichthys ruppelli (Sykes, 1839) and
Schistura denisoni (Day, 1867), are conformed from the east and west flowing rivers of this region. However, this is a
gross under representation of the true diversity of loaches in this region. Based on the extensive studies in the
hillstreams of the northern Western Ghats we have tried to understand the diversity and distribution of hill stream
loaches in this region. We have used genetic sequences of two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase subunit I
and cytochrome b) to understand the species and haplotype diversity in hill stream loaches. We also provide the
distributional ranges for species and their haplotypes. Our analysis will be helpful to understand the hidden diversity
of this less studied group of the northern Western Ghats. The distributional data will also be important for
understanding the conservation statuses and prioritizing areas for conservation of these threatened organisms.
Schistura denisoni
Schistura denisoni
Schistura denisoni
54
Schistura denisoni
Schistura denisoni
100
Schistura denisoni
97
Schistura denisoni
Schistura denisoni
100
100
Nemacheilus anguilla
Nemacheilus anguilla
Nemacheilus anguilla
Nemacheilus anguilla
74
100
Nemachilichthys ruppelli
Nemachilichthys ruppelli
Nemachilichthys ruppelli
Nemachilichthys ruppelli
Nemachilichthys ruppelli
66
100
74
A cf moorehcanthocobitis
A cf mooreh canthocobitis
100
A mooreh
canthocobitis
A mooreh
canthocobitis
A mooreh
canthocobitis
A mooreh
canthocobitis
A mooreh
canthocobitis
A mooreh
canthocobitis
A mooreh
canthocobitis
Acanthocobitis mooreh
66
76
100
67
I evezardi
ndoreonectes
I evezardi
ndoreonectes
100
I evezardi ndoreonectes
100
I evezardindoreonectes
I evezardi ndoreonectes
100
I evezardi
ndoreonectes
I evezardi ndoreonectes
100
100
I evezardi ndoreonectes
I evezardi
ndoreonectes
100
I evezardi ndoreonectes
I evezardi
ndoreonectes
I evezardi ndoreonectes
82
I evezardi ndoreonectes
Indoreonectes evezardi
Indoreonectes evezardi
95
64
100
77
52
99
52
Balitora laticauda
Balitora laticauda
91
Balitora laticauda
Balitora laticauda
63
100
Botia striata
Botia striata
Botia striata
100
0.02
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a
B
N
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ma
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eil
ida
e
e
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o
B
METHODOLOGY
1. Specimens were collected
f r om We s t e r n G h a t s o f
Maharashtra.
2. Identifications were done
using standard keys, original
descriptions and examination of
type specimens.
3.DNA was extracted using
Phenol:Chloroform method.
4. Cytochrome oxidase subunit
1 (COI) and cytochrome b (cytb)
were amplified.
5. P hylo gene tic a naly sis
including model test, pair wise
g e n e t i c d i s t a n c e s a n d
maximum likelihood analysis
was performed in MEGA6.
RESULTS
1. Except for and all other specimens have a high haplotype diversity.
had at least three haplotypes in east and west flowing rivers of northern Western Ghats.
is restricted only to east flowing rivers of northern Western Ghats and has at least two haplotypes.
is the most diverse group with several haplotypes from both east and west flowing rivers.
has two haplotypes with minor genetic variations.
Nemacheilus anguilla Nemachilichthys ruppelli
2. Schistura denisoni
3. Acanthocobitis mooreh
4. Indoreonectes evezardi
5. Balitora laticauda
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We thank Mandar Paingankar, Unmesh Katwate, Shrikant Jadhav, Rajeev Raghavan and Siby Philip for sharing specimens and helpful discussions.
DISCUSSION
1. Given the high haplotype diversity in all different species of loaches indicates that there is a need for more detailed taxonomic studies
to understand the true diversity of loaches in the northern Western Ghats of India.
2. It is possible that several of these haplotypes might represent distinct species which might be more restricted in distribution.
3. Since the northern Western Ghats are under several anthropogenic stressors there is an immediate need to resolve the taxonomy of
loaches and reassess the conservation status of this threatened group. This is especially true for species such as
which are currently assessed as Least Concern owing to their wide
distribution but harbor a high haplotype diversity.
Acanthocobitis
mooreh, Indoreonectes evezardi and Schistura denisoni
Indian Biodiversity Congress - 2014