Using DNA barcodes to confirm new records of Amazon longfin herrings Pellona castelnaeana Valenciennes, 1847 and Pellona flavipinnis (Valenciennes, 1837) (Clupeiformes: Pristigasteridae) in the Branco River sub-basin

Abstract

This note demonstrates the use of a DNA barcoding methodology in confirming new occurrence records of Pellona castelnaeana and Pellona flavipinnis in the Branco River sub-basin. The DNA barcode result was verified by identification based on morphological characters of both species. Thus, these records increase the species’ ranges by more than 600 km in the Amazon and show evidence of high genetic variability in P. flavipinnis.