Phylogeny of the Genus <i>Eleginus</i> (Gadidae) according to the Analysis of the Variability of Microsatellite Locus and mtDNA <i>CO1</i> Fragment

Abstract

Genetic methods based on the study of the variability of mitochondrial (CO1) and nuclear (microsatellites) DNA were used to study the processes of morphogenesis in the genus Eleginus. The revealed level of genetic differentiation characterizes the Pacific Saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) and Navaga (Eleginus nawaga) as independent species that diverged in a relatively recent period at the boundary of the Pliocene and Pleistocene. The White Sea Navaga’s populations were by microsatellites markers differed from the Navaga inhabiting the basins of the Kara and the Barents seas. At the same time, it is assumed that the Kara-Barents Sea region could act as a “glacial refugium”, which ensured the post-glacial settlement of Navaga, including in the “watered” White Sea depression. Phylogenetic analysis based on CO1 haplotypes diversity reveals demand of possible reorganization in order Gadiformes, including Eleginus in an independent subfamily – sister in relation to the subfamilies Gadinae, Lotinae, Merlucciinae. The prospects of improving genetic methodological approaches in the framework of the development of research on Saffron cod are noted.