Molecular Validation of Catla catla and Labeo rohita among Morphologically Identified Fish Species in Narmada River of Madhya Pradesh, India

Freshwater ecosystems are crucial for biodiversity, ecological balance, and livelihoods through aquaculture and fisheries. Precise identification of fish species is essential for understanding biodiversity, assessing ecosystem health and guiding conservation strategies. The Narmada River, a biodiversity-rich ecosystem in India, hosts ecologically and economically significant fish species. Morphological identification, though widely used, is often limited by phenotypic and environmental variations, leading to misidentifications. To address this, the study integrates molecular and traditional taxonomic techniques to validate species identification. A total of 20 fish specimens were collected from seven locations along the river. Morphological analysis identified several species, with Catla catla and Labeo rohita selected for molecular validation. DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene confirmed their molecular identity, reinforcing the accuracy of morphological classification. This study emphasizes the value of DNA barcoding in uncovering cryptic biodiversity and enriching molecular databases. The findings offer critical insights into genetic diversity, species distribution, and conservation efforts, highlighting the ecological and economic importance of key species such as Catla catla and Labeo rohita. Moreover, the study provides a replicable framework for biodiversity assessments and sustainable aquaculture practices.