In this study, 229 DNA sequences of cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI) from 158
marine fishes of Japan were employed to test the efficacy of species identification by DNA
barcoding. The average genetic distance was 60-fold higher between species than within
species, as Kimura two parameter (K2P) genetic distances averaged 17.6% among congeners
and only 0.3% among conspecifics. There were no overlaps between intraspecific and
interspecific K2P distances, and all sequences formed species units in the neighbor-joining
dendrogram. Hybridization phenomena in two species (Kyphosus vaigiensis and Pterocaesio
digramma) were also detected through searches in Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD).
DNA barcoding provides a new way for fish identification.
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