Taxonomic reassessment of Ompok hypophthalmus (Bleeker, 1846) (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Siluridae) in Indonesia with global implications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.10397.18.6.29127-29132Keywords:
C oxidase subunit (COI), cryptic diversity, DNA barcoding, fish diversity conservation, mitochondrial DNA, morphological identification, molecular taxonomy, river system, speciesAbstract
Indonesia harbors exceptional freshwater fish diversity, yet taxonomic uncertainty persists for several economically important species, including Ompok hypophthalmus. This study provides a critical assessment of the morphological and molecular identification of O. hypophthalmus in Indonesia by analyzing published literature and publicly available mitochondrial DNA sequence data retrieved from resources such as NCBI. Morphological revisions by Ng (2003) recognized three distinct taxa within the O. hypophthalmus complex (O. hypophthalmus, O. rhadinurus, and O. urbaini), yet subsequent studies have frequently applied species names inconsistently, particularly in Sumatra. Analysis of available cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (Cyt b) sequences reveals substantial genetic structuring among river populations, suggesting historical misidentification and possible cryptic diversity. Limited sequence availability and incomplete geographic coverage preclude definitive conclusions regarding species boundaries in some river systems. This study highlights the urgent need for integrative taxonomy, i.e., combining morphology, standardized DNA barcoding, and expanded sampling to resolve species identities and to support effective fisheries management and conservation planning in Indonesian freshwater ecosystems.
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