Species diversity of anchovies (Teleostei: Engraulidae) along the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Anchovies (Teleostei: Engraulidae) play an important ecological role in tropical coastal ecosystems because of their abundance. In parallel, and for the same reason, they are extensively harvested. Yet, their diversity remains insufficiently documented in many regions. In this study, we surveyed the diversity of anchovies along the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia based on the recently collected material with the objective to update the taxonomic list of common species and to build a database of two mitochondrial DNA markers useful for identifying species, the “barcode” fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase I gene and the whole cytochrome b gene. We first selectively collected, preserved and examined 163 specimens, comprising five genera and 16 species. All species have been described, none is endemic but one of them (Stolephorus tri) is a new record for this region. The genotyping of 74 of these specimens revealed that each species is genetically distinct to others and diagnosable. Comparisons between our list and previous inventory works based on morphology and genetics, within and nearby this region, revealed both similarities and differences. The possible causes of differences are discussed. Although certainly incomplete, our revised list of common species of anchovies along with referenced material are valuable not only to document their diversity along the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia but also to inform future fisheries management studies.