Signals of changes in the ichthyofauna composition of Galician waters (NW Iberian Peninsula)

Abstract

Evidences of changes in the fish fauna of Galician waters is documented based on the occurrence of 24 specimens belonging to eight warm affinity fishes. Information about the morphology and new findings of Desmodema polystictum (Trachipteridae), Halobatrachus didactylus (Batrachoididae), Dactylopterus volitans (Dactylopteridae) Anthias anthias (Serranidae), Callanthias ruber (Callanthiidae), Seriola rivoliana (Carangidae), Uranoscopus scaber (Uranoscopidae) and Sphyraena sphyraena (Sphyraenidae), is reported from Galician waters, where they are unusual or rare. Morphometric and meristic parameters confirmed the identification to species level of each specimen, which was also supported by DNA barcoding. In addition, sex identification by histology and oocyte measurements of several specimens were carried out. The record of D. polystictum supposes the first occurrence for Atlantic European waters and a new northernmost record of the distribution in the Eastern Atlantic. A Neighbour-Joining comparison of COI mitochondrial DNA sequences of D. volitans suggests the possible occurrence of an undescribed cryptic species or the existence of a species that could be resurrected from one of its many catalogued synonyms. According to the obtained rate, S. rivoliana is the species more commonly recorded. The gonad histological analysis proposes A. anthias and C. ruber as protogynous hermaphrodite species.