Genetic Variation of Hunga Fish Ecomorphs in Selected Provinces in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Hunga is one of the most important fresh water fish species in Sri Lanka and is widely spread in Thailand, Miyanmar, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan. This species is highly abundant in fresh water bodies throughout the country. Twelve fish samples from eight provinces were collected and analyzed to determine morphological and genetic variability. A barcoding approach was followed with universal fish primers for sequencing mitochondrial COl.Results were compared with NCBI data base and a phylogenetic tree was developed. According to the phylogenetic analysis, samples were identified as Heteropneustes fossilis and Plotosus anguillari. Results revealed that Heteropneustes fossilis is unavailable in north province due to the lack of fresh water rivers and other fresh water bodies. However, Plotosus anguillari is rarely available in North Province.