Assessing Genetic Diversity of Wild Populations and Different Color Varieties for Genetic Improvement of Siamese Fighting Fish Betta splendens in Thailand

To establish sustainable resources and founder populations for genetic improvement of the Siamese fighting fish Betta splendens, genetic diversity in wild and hatchery stocks was examined using mitochondrial (mt) DNA genes cytochrome b (cytb), 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA), and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), and eight microsatellite loci. Based on mtDNA sequences, restrictive levels of polymorphism (0, 3, and 1 substitutions) were observed in this study. For analysis of microsatellites, fluorescent multiplex PCR was developed, and subsequently identifying moderate levels of observed (Ho = 0.4488) and expected (He = 0.6627) heterozygosities and a high number of alleles per locus (15.125 alleles) for overall samples. Comparison of Siamese fighting fish from different sources revealed large genetic differences between pairs of farmed fish (eight groups) and between wild (three geographic locations) and farmed fish (P < 0.0031 following Bonferroni correction). This suggested limited exchanges of genetic resources between commercial farms. When different color varieties of B. splendens were compared, large genetic distances and significant FST estimates and genetic heterogeneity were found (P < 0.0031). Effective population sizes (Ne) were estimated and two farms (NP2-2BS and BK1-4BS) showed Ne greater than 10. Among color varieties, Multi-colors and Blue revealed reasonable Ne (large and 27.9), but lower Ne values (3.6–8.4) were found for the remaining color varieties. These results indicate an urgent need for the establishment of gene pool resources of B. splendens for effective genetic improvement of Siamese fighting fish in Thailand.