DNA-barcoding of perch-like fishes (Actinopterygii: Perciformes) from far-eastern seas of Russia with taxonomic remarks for some groups

Abstract

The analysis of variation among 203 nucleotide sequences of Co-1 gene (DNA-barcode) for 45 species, 31 genera and 7 families of the order Perciformes from the Far Eastern seas of Russia has been performed. As a result, 42 species (93.3%) can be unambiguously identified using molecular DNA-barcode at Co-1, whereas more variable markers are required for other species (6.7%): Stichaeus grigorjewi, S. nozawae, and Lumpenus sagitta. The latter includes as well 2 morphologically distinct (by number of vertebrae) but genetically unresolved species, L. sagitta (Sea of Okhotsk) and L. fabricii (Bering Sea). In addition, within this genus morphologically poorly characterized but genetically well-distinguished cryptic species has been detected. Amphi-Pacific distribution is in question relative to L. sagitta. Cryptic diversity was observed in the genus Ammodytes.

• Biodiversity
• eelpouts
• gene Co-1
• species identification
• taxonomy

Acknowledgements

Authors are very thankful for English translation of the paper by Mr. E.P. Shvetsov.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. This research was partly supported by the grant of Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (PE99211) and grants of the Far Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Science (12-I-OBN-07, 12-II-SO-06-017, KPFI 12-06-002).