Morphology and Molecular Confirmation of the Weather Loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) from Two Provinces in the Philippines | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries | ||||
| Article 4, Volume 29, Issue 3, May and June 2025, Page 43-50 PDF (364.83 K) | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2025.425701 | ||||
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| Author | ||||
| Kindipan et al. | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| The weather loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) (Teleostei: Cobitidae) is a valuable aquaculture species in the Philippines, particularly in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). This study aimed to confirm the identity of the weather loach populations from Ifugao and Mayoyao, two provinces within CAR, using both morphological and molecular approaches. Morphological analysis focused on body shape, pigmentation, body spots, barbels, caudal peduncle features, and sexual dimorphism. The specimens exhibited an elongated, pigmented, and spotted body, with a darker dorsal region, pale ventral side, and general coloration ranging from brownish to greenish, including thin vertical stripes along the lower body. Five pairs of recessed barbels and a pair of nares located between the snout and eyes were observed. The caudal fin was rounded and displayed a distinct dark spot on both sides of the upper caudal peduncle. Sexual dimorphism was evident: males had longer, pointed pectoral fins, while females had shorter, rounded fins and fuller abdomens. Molecular identification using partial mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene sequences confirmed the identity of the specimens as M. anguillicaudatus. The genetic distances between the two sample groups and among all samples were 0.002 and 0.001, respectively, indicating low intraspecific variation and a high degree of genetic relationship. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Misgurnus anguillicaudatus; Morphology; Molecular identification; Mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b | ||||
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