Similarity and genetic relationship analysis of 28 species of Pangasiidae (Siluriformes, Ostariophysi)

Abstract

Abstract Pangasiid catfishes have most diverse morphotype among members in the family. In the past, misidentification often occurred for the species definition. After numerical taxonomy developed, the level of similarity or phenetic analysis was used to distinguish different taxa. While relationship and evolutionary evidence within species in Pangasiidae was analyzed based on the genetic data. The aim of the present study was to understand the congruency between phenetic and genetic analysis in family Pangasiidae. Euclidean distance was applied on phenetic analysis to produce phenogram of similarity. Sequencing of 12s rDNA was conducted to illustrate the genetic relationship. Both analyses showed that species member in Pangasiidae supported the genera proposed in the previous study. Four genera are in Pangasiiidae. The both analysis also support to the hypothesis of geological history, palaentology and models of other family in the observed area. The results confirmed that Pangasiidae may occurred 20 million years ago before separation of the islands with the mainland Asia.