Jamsari Amirul Firdaus Jamaluddin’s research while affiliated with University of Science Malaysia and other places

The phylogenetic position of the Southeast Asian catfish genus Encheloclarias Myers, 1937 within the family Clariidae is inferred herein using three mitochondrial nucleotide markers: cytochrome b, cytochrome oxidase subunit I, and 16S rRNA genes. We found that Encheloclarias is neither exclusively related to the African taxa having extended neural spines posterior to the dorsal fin (Encheloclarias shares with some of these taxa the presence of an adipose fin, as opposed to absent in all other clariid taxa) nor to the Asian species of the genus Clarias Scopoli, 1777. Encheloclarias is hypothesized to be the sister group of all other clariids, except Horaglanis Menon, 1951. The inferred position of Encheloclarias confirms that the adipose fin in this genus has an evolutionary origin independent to that of the adipose fin found in some African clariids. Encheloclarias is not only ecologically remarkable, being adapted to acidic peat swamps in Southeast Asia, but it is also an ancient lineage sheltering in these habitats. However, the precise timing of the colonization of peat swamps by Encheloclarias remains to be investigated. The phylogenetic position of Encheloclarias further underscores the importance of studying and protecting the remaining peat swamp habitats in Southeast Asia and their distinctive aquatic fauna.

The taxonomy of the freshwater featherback fish genus Chitala (Osteoglossomorpha: Notopteridae) remains unsettled because delimiting and naming Chitala species based solely on morphology led to different hypotheses. In this study, we aim to determine the number and identity of Chitala species present in Peninsular Malaysia by employing an integrative taxonomic approach that combines morphology and two mitochondrial markers: the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b genes. A total of 60 specimens of Chitala were collected throughout Peninsular Malaysia. Initially, all specimens were sorted into three distinct categories based on their body marking patterns. A molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that each of these groups was monophyletic, and an automated species partition method further recognized them as distinct species. These results support the presence of three Chitala species in Peninsular Malaysia, even though a multivariate morphometric analysis failed to fully differentiate each of these three species. Comparison with original species descriptions and genetic data from an additional 70 Chitala specimens from neighbouring regions allowed us to name these species as Chitala lopis , Chitala borneensis , and Chitala ornata . We also showed the presence of two undescribed species in Indonesia.

Glass‐perchlets of the genus Ambassis (Teleostei; Ambassidae) form an important component of the brackish and marine coastal fish communities of tropical Asia. However, their species‐level diversity is still poorly documented because of the absence of recent taxonomic revisions in this region and the limited availability of specimens for research. In addition, long‐standing taxonomic and nomenclatural issues complicate the studies of this genus. Herein, we examine the diversity of Ambassis in Peninsular Malaysia using an integrative taxonomic approach and a large set of recently collected specimens from this region. Our initial morphological observations of 260 specimens revealed the presence of eight species, identified as Ambassis dussumieri , Ambassis interrupta , Ambassis kopsii , Ambassis macracanthus , Ambassis nalua , Ambassis octava , Ambassis urotaenia and Ambassis vachellii . We then sequenced the barcode fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene for 122 of our specimens, representing all eight morpho‐species. Automatic species delimitation methods recovered nine Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) because A. interrupta is made of two MOTUs. Morphological re‐examination within A. interrupta detected variation at one character, congruent with molecular delimitation. Overall, our integrative approach unveiled rich species‐level diversity within the genus Ambassis in Peninsular Malaysia, with the presence of nine species. Further comparisons between our COI dataset and the COI sequences archived in the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD) from specimens of Ambassis broadly collected in tropical Asian regions, indicated regional‐scale hidden diversity and identification conflicts, triggering the need for a complete taxonomic revision of this genus.

The variability in the stenotopic miniature rasborine Boraras maculatus (Cypriniformes: Danionidae: Rasborinae) across acidic‐water habitats of Peninsular Malaysia (PM) was investigated using two molecular markers (the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I [COI] gene and the nuclear rhodopsin gene), as well as morphological evidence. Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed differentiation among populations of B. maculatus in PM with the distinction of four allopatric lineages. Each of them was recognized as a putative species by automatic species delimitation methods. These lineages diverged from each other between 7.4 and 1.9 million years ago. A principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to examine the multivariate variation in 11 morphometric measurements among three of these lineages. PCA results showed a significant overlap in morphological characteristics among these lineages. Additionally, a photograph‐based machine learning approach failed to fully differentiate these lineages, suggesting limited morphological differentiation. B. maculatus represents a case of morphological stasis in a stenotopic miniature species. Strong habitat preference, coupled with long‐term habitat fragmentation, may explain why each lineage of B. maculatus has a restricted distribution and did not disperse to other regions within and outside of PM, despite ample possibilities when the Sunda shelf was emerged and drained by large paleodrainages for most of the past 7 million years. The conservation status of B. maculatus and its peat swamp habitats are discussed, and it is concluded that peat swamps comprise several evolutionary units. Each of these units is considered a conservation unit and deserves appropriate protection.

Understanding the patterns of genetic diversity of species and precise stock identification are important in fisheries conservation management. However, studies on genetic diversity, connectivity, population structure, and gene flow of groupers within the Indo-Malaya Archipelago (IMA) waters are limited. The objective of the present study was to examine the phylogeographic patterns of the family Epinephelidae in IMA waters based on a parallel study of five selected species utilizing the mitochondrial COI. The grouper species were: areolate grouper (Epinephelus areolatus), blacktip grouper (Epinephelus fasciatus), six-bar grouper (Epinephelus sexfasciatus), blue-lined hind (Cephalopholis formosa), and white-edged lyretail (Variola albimarginata). Specimens were obtained from fish landing sites and fish markets from 23 locations throughout the IMA waters. This study showed genetic structuring for two species (Epinephelus areolatus and Variola albimarginata) but genetic homogeneity for the other three investigated species across IMA. Various geological and demographic histories, local and regional oceanographic features, and biological characteristics are hypothesized to shape the present genetic pattern of each species across the IMA waters. The establishment of effective international cooperation is encouraged to manage grouper species stocks in this region.

Citation: Abuelmaali, S.A.; Jamaluddin, J.A.F.; Allam, M.; Abushama, H.M.; Elnaiem, D.E.; Noaman, K.; Avicor, S.W.; Ishak, I.H.; Wajidi, M.F.F.; Jaal, Z.; et al. Genetic Polymorphism and Phylogenetics of Aedes aegypti from Sudan Based on ND4 Mitochondrial Gene Variations. Insects 2022, 13, 1144. https://

Anchovies (Teleostei: Engraulidae) play an important ecological role in tropical coastal ecosystems because of their abundance. In parallel, and for the same reason, they are extensively harvested. Yet, their diversity remains insufficiently documented in many regions. In this study, we surveyed the diversity of anchovies along the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia based on the recently collected material with the objective to update the taxonomic list of common species and to build a database of two mitochondrial DNA markers useful for identifying species, the “barcode” fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase I gene and the whole cytochrome b gene. We first selectively collected, preserved and examined 163 specimens, comprising five genera and 16 species. All species have been described, none is endemic but one of them (Stolephorus tri) is a new record for this region. The genotyping of 74 of these specimens revealed that each species is genetically distinct to others and diagnosable. Comparisons between our list and previous inventory works based on morphology and genetics, within and nearby this region, revealed both similarities and differences. The possible causes of differences are discussed. Although certainly incomplete, our revised list of common species of anchovies along with referenced material are valuable not only to document their diversity along the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia but also to inform future fisheries management studies.

The island of Penang lying off the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia, is one of the historical places for ichthyological exploration in Southeast Asia and the type locality of three freshwater species and one euryhaline species. Freshwater ecosystems on the island are currently threatened by multiple causes. To facilitate further environmental-oriented monitoring actions, we reexamined the fish diversity by surveying several freshwater localities across the island. All collected specimens were vouchered, morphologically identified and then genetically characterized using the “Barcode” fragment of the cytochrome oxidase I gene. We collected a total of 52 fish species, including 37 (21 native + 16 introduced) strictly-adapted freshwater species. Five native and 10 introduced species represent new records for the island. Genetic analyses revealed low cryptic diversity within morphologically identified species. Combining our results with those of previous surveys, a total of 63 fish species are now known from Penang freshwaters, however, five native species were not collected in the last 60 years and their conservation status is certainly at risk on the island. Overall, the presence of many introduced species along with the general degradation of freshwater habitats of Penang Island threaten its native fish diversity.

The tire track eel, Mastacembelus favus, is an economically important freshwater fish in mainland Southeast Asia. Understanding the spatial population structure is important to design an effective and efficient management of the species. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity and structure of M. favus populations. In total, 519 individuals from 30 locations across its distribution range were genotyped using a set of eight polymorphic microsatellite loci. Results showed that populations in Mekong and Chao Phraya exhibited higher genetic variability than those from Gulf of Thailand and Malay–Thai Peninsula. Clustering results revealed two evolutionarily isolated groups geographically separated at Northeastern Cambodia; the more widespread group was further divided into two subclusters. The spatial genetic variation and structure of its populations are attributed to the evolutionary history and population dynamics of the species. The study provides important information for the management and conservation of M. favus in Southeast Asia.