Cryptic diversification of the swamp eel Monopterus albus in East and Southeast Asia, with special reference to the Ryukyuan populations

The swamp eel Monopterus albus is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical freshwaters ranging from Southeast Asia to East Asia, and is unique in its ability to breathe air through the buccal mucosa. To examine the genetic structure of this widespread species, molecular phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequence (514 bp) were conducted for 84 specimens from 13 localities in Southeast and East Asia. The analyses showed clearly that this species can be genetically delineated into three clades based on geographical populations [China-Japan (Honshu+Kyushu), Ryukyu Islands, and Southeast Asia clades], with each clade exhibiting its own reproductive behavior. Therefore, 'M. albus' is believed to be composed of at least three species. The Southeast Asia clade with the highest genetic diversity may include more species. The Ryukyu clade was estimated to have diverged more than 5.7 million years ago, suggesting that the Ryukyuan 'M. albus' is native. In contrast, in the China-Japan clade, all haplotypes from Japan were closely related to those from China, suggesting artificial introduction(s).