Abstract
Genus Epinephelus (Perciformes, Epinephelidae), commonly known as groupers, are usually difficult in species identification for the lack and/or change of morphological specialization. In this study, molecular cytogenetic analyses were firstly performed to identify the closely related species Epinephelus bruneus and E. moara in this genus. The species-specific differences of both fish species showed in karyotype, chromosomal distribution of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) and localization of 18S rDNA. The heterochromatin (interstitial C-bands) and distribution pattern of telomere (TTAGGG)n in E. bruneus revealed the chromosomal rearrangements and different karyotypic evolutionary characteristics compared to those in E. moara. The cytogenetic data suggested that the lineages of E. bruneus and E. moara were recently derived within the genus Epinephelus, and E. moara exhibited more plesiomorphic features than E. bruneus. All results confirmed that E. moara, which has long been considered a synonym of E. bruneus, is a distinct species in the family Epinephelidae. In addition, molecular cytogenetic analyses are useful in species differentiation and phylogenetic reconstruction in groupers.
Highlights
The family Epinephelidae comprises approximately 163 grouper species in 16 genera (Craig, Sadovy de Mitcheson & Heemstra, 2011)
Mitotic chromosomes were obtained from cell suspensions of anterior kidney after the fishes were anesthetized with tricaine methanesulfonate (MS222, 100 mg/L, Sigma), using the conventional air-drying method (Ojima, Hitotsumachi & Makino, 1966)
All specimens of E. bruneus and E. moara invariably showed the same diploid number of chromosomes, 2n = 48
Summary
The family Epinephelidae comprises approximately 163 grouper species in 16 genera (Craig, Sadovy de Mitcheson & Heemstra, 2011). These species are of considerable economic value, especially in the coastal fisheries of tropical and subtropical areas (Heemstra & Randall, 1993). Taxonomic confusion in the Epinephelidae often occurs due to similarities of color patterns and ontogenetic changes in color (Heemstra & Randall, 1993; Craig, Sadovy de Mitcheson & Heemstra, 2011). Epinephelus bruneus (Bloch 1793) and E. moara (Temminck and Schiegel 1842) are two important aquaculture and commercial fish species. How to cite this article Guo et al (2014), Molecular cytogenetic analyses of Epinephelus bruneus and Epinephelus moara (Perciformes, Epinephelidae).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
