Genetic identification and taxonomic relationship of mediterranean mugilid species based on mitochondrial 16s rDNA sequence data

Abstract

This study examines eight mugilid species: Mugil cephalus, Chelon labrosus, Oedalachelis labeo, Liza abu, Liza aurata, Liza saliens and Liza ramada from the Mediterranean Sea and Mugil soiuy Black Sea on the basis 16S rDNA gene of mitochondrial DNA. The 16S rDNA dataset contained 121 variable and parsimony informative sites and the mean nucleotide diversity (Pi) was found to be 0.05. Haplotype diversity was found to be 0.88 and 7 different haplotypes were observed. Species specific haplotypes were detected and only C. labrosus and L. ramada shared the same Haplotype (H3). Sequencing analysis revealed that M. cephalus was clearly separated from the other species. For inter-generic comparisons, there was no genetic difference between C. labrosus andL. ramada and C. labrosus and O. labeo should be considered within the genus Liza. Moreover M. soiuy and L. abu should be considered under the genus Liza, or new genus name should be given for these two species. © Medwell Journals, 2010.