Premium
DNA barcoding of the genus L epidion (Gadiformes: Moridae) with recognition of L epidion eques as a junior synonym of L epidion lepidion
Author(s) -
Bañón R.,
Arronte J. C.,
VázquezDorado S.,
Del Río J. L.,
Carlos A.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
molecular ecology resources
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.96
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1755-0998
pISSN - 1755-098X
DOI - 10.1111/1755-0998.12045
Subject(s) - biology , phylogenetic tree , dna barcoding , zoology , mitochondrial dna , meristics , sister group , genus , botany , clade , genetics , gene
DNA sequences of cytochrome c oxidase I gene ( COI ) from L epidion spp. were employed to test the efficiency of species identification. A sample of 32 individuals from five Lepidion species was sequenced and combined with 26 sequences from other BOLD projects. As a result, 58 L epidion DNA sequences of the COI gene belonging to eight of the nine recognized L epidion species were analysed. Sequences were aligned and formed seven clades in a Bayesian phylogenetic tree, where L epidion lepidion and L epidion eques grouped jointly. The Kimura 2‐parameter genetic distances, among congeners were, on average, 4.28%, 16 times greater than among conspecifics (0.27%). The main diagnostic meristic data of L epidion spp. were compiled and a detailed morphological revision of the congeneric species L . eques and L . lepidion was made. The eye diameter was significantly different between L . eques and L . lepidion ( P < 0.001). The number of anal fin rays ranged from 45 to 51 in L . lepidion and from 47 to 54 in L . eques , but no significant differences were obtained in the mean values of this variable ( P = 0.07). According to the morphological and genetic analyses, the results strongly suggest that the Mediterranean codling L . lepidion and the North Atlantic codling L . eques are conspecific, making L . eques a junior synonym of L . lepidion .