Molecular assessment of demersal fish diversity in Prydz Bay using DNA taxonomy

Abstract

Our knowledge regarding the taxonomy and diversity of demersal fish in Prydz Bay is insufficient; however, DNA barcoding can discriminate and identify species and has emerged as a promising tool for the molecular taxonomy and systematics of various fish groups. We analyzed cytochrome oxidase I (COI) barcodes for 102 fish specimens collected in Prydz Bay. Twenty-four species representing 19 genera and the 6 families Rajidae, Artedidraconidae, Bathydraconidae, Channichthyidae, Nototheniidae and Zoarcidae were characterized, which was consistent with the demersal ichthyofauna pattern at other high latitudes of Antarctica. No overlap between intraspecific variability and interspecific variability was observed and supported the existence of a barcoding gap. Phylogenetic signals of the tree topology inferred from the maximum-likelihood method and Bayesian inference analysis implied that Bathydraconidae and Nototheniidae were paraphyletic. DNA barcoding is a highly effective and reliable tool for the identification of Antarctic fish species and might provide significant phylogenetic signals for Antarctic fish fauna.