Molecular identification of Bigeyes (Perciformes, Priacanthidae) from Indian waters

Abstract

Thirty-five individuals of six priacanthid fish species were sampled from different localities along the coast of India covering the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. The partial sequence of 16S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) genes were analyzed for species identification and phylogenetic relationship among the Indian priacanthids (Priacanthus hamrur, P. prolixus, P. blochii, P. sagittarius, Cookeolus japonicus, and Pristigenys refulgens). The intraspecies genetic distance ranged from 0.000 to 0.002, while distances varied from 0.008 to 0.157 interspecies based on 16S sequences. Using COI data analysis, the intraspecies genetic distance ranged from 0.000 to 0.005, while interspecies distances varied from 0.009 to 0.108. Several sequences labeled Priacanthus hamrur in GenBank are shown to be P. prolixus. We also observed cryptic speciation in Heteropriacanthus cruentatus. Partial sequences of 16S rRNA and COI genes provided phylogenetic information to distinguish thirteen species of priacanthids, indicating the usefulness of molecular markers in species identification.

Keywords:

• Bigeyes
• COI
• DNA barcoding
• Indian waters
• 16S rRNA

Acknowledgements

Authors are grateful to Yukio Iwatsuki (Miyazaki University, Japan) for providing valuable reprints. The authors wish to thank Akhilesh K. V., Rajool Shanis, Manju Sebastine, E. M. Abdussamad (CMFRI, India) and Rajkumar (NBFGR, India) for the support. Authors are grateful to Rahul G. Kumar for suggestions and helpful comments on the earlier version of manuscript. The authors also thank the anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on the manuscript.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors are grateful to the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi, for the support. The authors thank the Center for Marine Living Resources and Ecology and the Ministry of Earth Sciences, India, for providing funding support.