Molecular identification and phylogenetic assessment of species under genus Parapenaeopsis Alcock, 1901, from Indian waters

Abstract

Genus Parapenaeopsis constitute an important fishery resource in Indian waters. Parapenaeopsis stylifera, being morphologically very similar to Parapenaeopsis coromandelica, mainly differentiated using telsonic armature and it is subject of controversy regarding the number of armature for the species. The present study was aimed to resolve the taxonomic ambiguity between P. stylifera and P. coromandelica and to study phylogenetic relationship among five species under the genus Parapenaeopsis using partial sequences of mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) genes. Sequence analysis revealed an average genetic divergence value ranging from 7.65 to 20.3% for COI gene and 2.4 to 12.0% for 16S rDNA gene between five species under study. The result shows that P. stylifera and P. coromandelica Alcock, 1906 are genetically a distinct species with average divergence value of 7.6% based on COI sequence and 2.4% based on the 16S rDNA. However, systematic relationship between the P. stylifera and P. coromandelica were closer than other species, thus formed separate clade in phylogenetic tree. The species specific molecular signatures developed in the present study will be helpful in effective fisheries management of the species in Indian waters.

Keywords:

• Parapenaeopsis
• 16S ribosomal DNA
• cytochrome c oxidase subunit I
• taxonomic ambiguity
• systematic relationship

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Dr. Kuldeep Kumar Lal, Director, ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), India for providing the facilities.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors acknowledge Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India for their financial support to conduct the research.