Species-specific molecular signatures for the commercially important scombrids using mitochondrial gene analysis; a tool for fisheries management

Abstract

The family Scombridae, comprising of commercially important marine fishes, which are widely distributed across tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters. Scombrids constitute an important fishery and are exploited across their range of distribution. Accurate identification of species is important for effective fisheries management and forensics purposes. In the present study, commercially important species of scombrids distributed in Indian waters were selected for molecular phylogeny and development of species-specific diagnostic keys using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene. In addition to morphological identification, the species were identified using molecular-based identification approach and character-based identification system. Molecular phylogeny for 16 species of scombrids was ascertained using mitochondrial COI analyses. The character-based molecular diagnostic keys for 16 species of scombrids were developed in-silico from data set comprising 603 mtCOI sequences generated in the present study as well as collected from published resources. The study uncovered 39 unambiguous molecular keys, capable of distinguishing all reference taxa under study. The development of species-specific sequences and key diagnostic nucleotides for scombrid fish species will be helpful in effective forensic applications, enforcement of fisheries regulations, and for sustainable utilization of this commercially important group of species.