Abstract
ABSTRACT DNA barcoding is a widely utilized molecular-based identification of species and taxonomic resolutions. Until recently, Rhamdia voulezi and Rhamdia branneri were considered species synonyms of Rhamdia quelen; however, morphological and cytogenetic analyses have suggested the validity of distinct species. Due to the absence of molecular taxonomy of R. voulezi and R. branneri, the objective of this study was to test its validity through traditional DNA barcoding and the GMYC (General Mixed Yule Coalescent) COI-based analyses in 19 specimens from the Iguaçu River Basin. In both methodologies, three MOTUs (Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units) were identified based on the estimated optimum threshold (OT = 0.77). The average inter-MOTU distance (NJ, K2P) between R. branneri and R. voulezi was 1.4%, and 0% intra-MOTU distance in both species. The two species identified as R. branneri and R. voulezi showed correspondence with taxonomic and morphological identifications. With regard to R. quelen, the average intra-MOTU distance was greater than OT (2.7%), indicating that this species can be formed by different MOTUs. We suggest that molecular and taxonomic studies should be employed concurrently in R. quelen, to prevent contamination of wild species by hybridizations.
Highlights
DNA barcoding is a widely molecular-based identification system utilized to identify biological specimens based on a short standardized sequence of DNA (Hebert et al 2003a,b)
The characteristics associated with chromosome B and karyotype variations between species of the genus Rhamdia from the Iguaçu River, for example, showed that R. voulezi and R. branneri are distinct from R. quelen (Abucarma, Martins-Santos, 2001; Garcia et al, 2010)
The sequences of R. voulezi and R. branneri resulted in 562 bp, while the sequences obtained from the BOLD database ranged from 582 to 652 bp
Summary
DNA barcoding is a widely molecular-based identification system utilized to identify biological specimens based on a short standardized sequence of DNA (Hebert et al 2003a,b). DNA barcoding of Rhamdia branneri and Rhamdia voulezi. Among the clustered species discussed by Silfvergrip (1996), Rhamdia branneri Haseman, 1911 and Rhamdia voulezi Haseman, 1911, both from Iguaçu River Basin, were recognized as synonyms of R. quelen (Quoy, Gaimard, 1824). The characteristics associated with chromosome B and karyotype variations between species of the genus Rhamdia from the Iguaçu River, for example, showed that R. voulezi and R. branneri are distinct from R. quelen (Abucarma, Martins-Santos, 2001; Garcia et al, 2010). Mise et al (2013) and Garavello, Shibatta (2016) detected evident morphometric characteristics for the reappraisal of R. branneri and R. voulezi from the Iguaçu River Basin
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