Molecular phylogeny and systematics of the South Asian freshwater‐fish genus Puntius (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

During the past decade, the ca 120 species of small, colourful tropical Asian freshwater fishes previously referred to the cyprinid genus Puntius have been shown to consist of multiple morphologically distinct evolutionary lineages that resolve as monophyletic groups in molecular studies. Many of these clades have been allocated to new genera such as Dawkinsia, Desmopuntius, Haludaria, Oliotius, Pethia, Puntigrus, Sahyadria, Striuntius and Waikhomia. Others have been assigned to existing but previously poorly delineated genera such as Barbodes and Systomus, while some 40 species remain in Puntius. The divergent morphology of several species retained in Puntius suggests, however, that the systematics of this group requires further attention. Here, based on a phylogeny incorporating newly generated data from the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb), mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), nuclear recombination activating protein 1 (rag1), and interphotoreceptor retinoid‐binding protein (irbp) gene markers, we investigate the interrelationships of the species of Puntius in Sri Lanka in the wider context of their Indian and Southeast Asian congeners. We identify three well‐supported monophyletic groups that warrant recognition as new genera: Rohanella (type species Puntius titteya), Plesiopuntius (type species Gnathopogon bimaculatus) and Bhava (type species Puntius vittatus). The first of these is endemic to rainforest streams in Sri Lanka's perhumid southwestern wet zone, whereas the latter two are widely distributed in both Sri Lanka and southern India, including the Western Ghats. Our study highlights the presence of distinct evolutionary lineages among several widespread species.