mtDNA COI Barcode Region Research Articles

Cobitis feroniae, a new spined loach from southern Latium, Italy (Teleostei: Cobitidae)

Cobitis feroniae, new species, is described from central Italy. It is distinguished from C. zanandreai, its putatively closest relative, by having several, small, black dots below Z4; minute, black spot at the upper caudal peduncle, and the pigmentation in Z2 separated from pigmentation in Z1 anterior to the dorsal-fin origin. It is further distinguished from C. zanandreai by having 13 diagnostic nucleotide substitutions in the mtDNA COI barcode region, and a K2P nearest–neighbour distance of 2.9%.

New Morphological and Molecular Data on the Southern Ninespine Stickleback, Pungitius platygaster (Gasterosteidae) from Southern Caspian Sea Basin

Being a group of popular model organisms in eco-evolutionary biology, genetic, and genomic research studies, the genus Pungitius with 12 species is the most species-rich genus in the stickleback family Gasterosteidae including the Caspian nine-spine stickleback, Pungitius platygaster (Kessler, 1859), the only known species from southern Caspian Sea basin. Here, the new data based on morphological and molecular characters of the mtDNA COI barcode region, and current distribution range of P. platygaster is presented. These data confirm the validity of P. platygaster among its congeners, being sister clade to P. hellenicus from Greece. Morphologically, it is distinguished from the other congeneric species by complete pelvic girdle, 8−11 dorsal spines, and presence of large lateral scutes. The Caspian nine-spine stickleback is found in several closely placed freshwater and brackish waterbodies in the southern Caspian Sea.

Glyptothorax sardashtensis, a new species of torrent catfish from the upper Lesser Zab drainage in Iran (Teleostei: Sisoridae).

Glyptothorax sardashtensis, new species, from the upper Lesser Zab in Iran, is distinguished from its congeners in the Persian Gulf basin by: a plain flank without black or brown blotches; a wide and round anterior margin of the medial pit in the thoracic adhesive apparatus; few, short median striae in the thoracic adhesive apparatus; three yellowish blotches arranged in a crescent-shaped arch on the nuchal plate in front of the dorsal-fin origin; no tubercles on the head and flank; and a short adipose fin. The new species is also distinguished by a minimum K2P sequence divergence of 2.16% in the mtDNA-COI barcode region from G. daemon and G. galaxias, its closest relatives. Glyptothorax kurdistanicus is re-discovered close to its type locality.

Garra rezai, a new species from two widely disjunct areas in the Tigris drainage (Teleostei: Cyprinidae).

Garra rezai, new species, is described from the Chooman, a tributary of the Lesser Zab in Iran, and from headwaters of the Yanarsu, a tributary of the upper Tigris in Turkey. It is distinguished from its congeners in the Garra variabilis species group by having two pairs of barbels, a well-developed mental disc, 35-40 total scales along the lateral line, 15-19 scales along the predorsal midline, and 15-18 circumpeduncular scales. It is further characterised by having ten diagnostic nucleotide substitutions and the K2P genetic distances with the closest species i.e. G. klatti, G. kemali and G. variabilis as 11.9, 12.0, and 13.7%, respectively in the mtDNA COI barcode region.

Oxyurichthys omanensis sp. nov., a new Eyebrow Goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Oman.

Oxyurichthys omanensis sp. nov. is described as a new gobiid species from a mudflat/estuary habitat in northern Oman. The new species is diagnosed among all currently recognised congeners by the following combination of character states: elongate tentacle on dorsoposterior surface of the eye; nape with well-developed membranous crest; nape scaled to above anterior half of opercle along sides with naked median along membranous crest, scales never reaching to above preopercle; opercle and pectoral base naked; scales ctenoid laterally on trunk posterior to base of second dorsal fin 3rd element; lateral scale rows 5158, usually 5156; transverse forward scale rows 2329, usually 2428; transverse rearward scale rows 1416, usually 1415; upper lip usually constricted at premaxillary symphysis; infraorbital transverse papillae row 2 reaching eye margin dorsally and markedly short of longitudinal row d ventrally; additional short transverse papillae rows between rows 2 and 3i present; dark saddle present over caudal peduncle; snout length 34.945.4% HL; second dorsal-fin longest ray 1.11.6 head depth; pelvic fin always reaching or passing anal-fin origin. The K2P genetic distances (%) in the mtDNA COI barcode region between O. omanensis and the other Oxyurichthys species were all high (11.230.6%) with the K2P nearest neighbor distance of 11.2% to O. cornutus and O. ophthalmonema.

Cobitis indus, a new spined loach from the Dalaman River in the Eastern Aegean Sea basin (Teleostei: Cobitidae).

Cobitis indus, new species, from the Dalaman River drainage, is distinguished from other Cobitis species in the eastern Aegean Sea basin by having two laminae circularis, a bifurcate suborbital spine, a narrow caudal peduncle, pigmentation zone 4 with 1724 small blotches often fused into a stripe, pigmentation below Z4 usually absent, and one black, comma-shaped spot at the upper caudal-fin base. It is further distinguished from its closest relative, C. dorademiri, by having 13 diagnostic nucleotide substitutions in the mtDNA COI barcode region and a K2P nearestneighbour distance of 2.32.7%. This is the fourth Cobitis species found in the Dalaman River drainage making this river the most species-rich in spined loaches in the Middle East.

Ponticola hircaniaensis sp. nov., a new and critically endangered gobiid species (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the southern Caspian Sea basin.

Ponticola hircaniaensis sp. nov. is described as a new gobiid species from the Kaboudval Stream, southern Caspian Sea basin. The new species is diagnosed among Caspian Sea basin Ponticola species by the following combination of characters: second dorsal-fin branched rays 1416, anal-fin branched rays 1012, scales in lateral series 5259; lower jaw slightly, if at all, prognathous; head and body yellowish brown showing a reticulate brown pattern on a yellow background, first dorsal fin with a marginal bright orangish-yellow band and a dark anterior spot, upper part of pectoral-fin base with a distinct dark brown stripe; length of third spine in first dorsal fin 13.418.3 % of standard length (SL), second dorsal-fin spine length 11.113.8 % SL, caudal peduncle length and depth 16.420.1 % and 11.112.8 % SL, respectively, head depth at nape 70.981.0 % of head length (HL), and at eye 52.566.0 % HL; sagittal otolith dorsal rim with a broad concavity in the middle, dorsal depression absent or indistinct, sulcus length/sulcus height and sulcus height/otolith height ratios 1.471.82 and 0.340.40, respectively. It is also characterised by a K2P nearest neighbour distance of 5% to P. kessleri in the mtDNA COI barcode region. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analyses suggested extensive hybridization between P. hircaniaensis sp. nov. and P. gorlap at Kaboudval, providing evidence for the first record of hybridization in the Ponto-Caspian gobiids. Based on narrow geographic range isolated above the Zarrin Gol Dam (< 2 km2), extensive hybridization with P. gorlap, and other threats, the new species should be considered Critically Endangered.

Revision of the Oxynoemacheilus angorae group with the description of two new species (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae).

The Oxynoemacheilus angorae species group is revised and 10 species are recognised, two of which are described herein as new. Oxynoemacheilus anatolicus, O. angorae, O. eregliensis, O. germencicus, O. isauricus, O. nasreddini, O. mediterraneus, and O. theophilii are endemic to west and Central Anatolia. Oxynoemacheilus cinicus and O. mesudae, both from Byk Menderes River drainage, are synonyms of O. germencicus. As First Revisers, we give priority to Oxynoemacheilus germencicus over O. cinicus. Oxynoemacheilus atili described from Lake Beyehir basin is a synonym of O. eregliensis. Oxynoemacheilus axylos, new species, from endorheic Lake Tuz basin (Cihanbeyli, Glyaz, Melendiz, and Samsam) is distinguished by possessing an almost truncate caudal-fin, a stout caudal peduncle, and elevated dorsal and ventral adipose crests. The new species is also distinguished by a minimum K2P sequence divergence of 1.6% in the mtDNA-COI barcode region from O. eregliensis, its closest relative. Oxynoemacheilus eliasi, new species, from the Kk Menderes and Gediz River drainages, is distinguished by having small, embedded scales on the belly, a narrow suborbital groove in male, an emarginate caudal fin, the caudal peduncle depth 1.31.5 times in its length, and the body depth decreasing between the dorsal and caudal-fin bases. The new species is also distinguished by a minimum K2P sequence divergence of 2.7% in the mtDNA-COI barcode region from O. theophilii, its closest relative.

Garra hormuzensis, a new species from the upper Kol River drainage in the Persian Gulf basin (Teleostei: Cyprinidae).

Garra hormuzensis, new species, is described from the Kol River drainage. It is distinguished from its congeners in the Iranian part of the Persian Gulf basin by having 7 branched dorsal-fin rays, usually 9+8 branched caudal-fin rays, the breast, belly and back in front of the dorsal-fin origin covered by scales, and a free lateral and posterior margins of the gular disc. It is further characterised by having a minimum K2P distance of 1.16% to G. mondica in the mtDNA COI barcode region.

Does the Garra population (Teleostei: Cyprinidae: Labeoninae) from the Kol River drainage, Persian Gulf basin merit formal description?

Recognizing and defining a species has been a controversial concern for a long time. To define the variation and the limitation between different species, especially closely related taxa in a complex species group, several concepts have been proposed which may lead to different taxonomic decisions. When a taxonomist studies a specific taxon, she/he should adopt a species concept and provide a species limitation to define the studied taxa. Garra population from the Kol River drainage, Persian Gulf basin has already been considered as Garra sp., based on molecular data, and to date no taxonomic decision has been made to provide a specific name for it. The Kol population presents several morphological characters that distinguish it from congeners: fully scaled breast; 78 branched dorsal-fin rays; caudal fin with 1617 branched rays and well-developed mental disc with free lateral and posterior margins. It is also distinguished from all other congeners in the Garra rufa group in Iran, by having two fixed, diagnostic nucleotide substitutions in the mtDNA COI barcode region. Furthermore, the Kol population demonstrates some distinct osteological characteristics in comparison to its closest species G. mondica. Based on the integrative molecular phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses, and morphological, osteological and distribution range data presented here, we think that the Kol River population merits formal description and can be considered as a distinct taxonomic unit (species).

Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) tadei: A new species of the Oswaldoi-konderi complex (Diptera, Anophelinae) and its morphological and molecular distinctions from An. konderi sensu stricto

The Oswaldoi-konderi Complex (Anopheles, Nyssorhynchus) is composed of five species that have been distinguished and delimited using DNA sequences of mitochondrial and nuclear genes. At least two species of the complex have been formally described, namely Anopheles oswaldoi s.s. and An. konderi; however, the identity of An. konderi s.s. is unclear because two morphologically similar species co-exist in the type-locality in the municipality of Coari, Amazonas state, Brazil. Moreover, the study of resurrection and designation of the neotype of An. konderi s.s. included a mixture of both forms. In the present study, mosquitoes were collected in Coari to establish the molecular identity of An. konderi s.s. and describe a new species based on morphological and molecular data. Six females were collected and separated individually for oviposition. The parental progenies were obtained from field collected females, fourth-instar larva, pupa, and female and male were employed for morphological characterization. Genomic DNA from one fourth-instar larva of each progeny was extracted and sequenced for the mtDNA COI barcode region, CAD gene, and the ITS2 rDNA nuclear region to establish the molecular identity of the two morphological forms of An. konderi s.l. The An. konderi neotype was re-examined. The morphological and molecular analyses revealed two distinct groups: the first group was identical to the neotype of An. konderi s.s., whereas the second was found to belong to the group informally referred to as An. sp. near konderi or An. konderi B, herein described as Anopheles tadei n. sp.

Oxynoemacheilus isauricus, a new nemacheilid loach from Central Anatolia (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae).

Oxynoemacheilus isauricus, new species, from the Lakes Beyşehir and Suğla basins in Central Anatolia is distinguished from all other species of the O. angorae group by having a very slender caudal peduncle (its depth 2.22.6 times in its length). The new species is further distinguished by having a short head (head length 2124% SL), and a midlateral series of irregularly shaped blotches on the flank. Oxynoemacheilus isauricus is also distinguished by a minimum K2P sequence divergence of 7.5% and 8.0% in the mtDNA-COI barcode region from O. eregliensis and O. atili, its closest relatives.

Oxynoemacheilus nasreddini, a new nemacheilid loach from Central Anatolia (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae).

Oxynoemacheilus nasreddini, new species, from Lake Akşehir, Eber, Eğirdir, and Ilgın basins in Central Anatolia is distinguished from other species of Oxynoemacheilus in Central Anatolia by having irregularly shaped blotches on flank; 24 dark-brown bands on caudal fin; a slender body, and an emarginate caudal fin in which the shortest middle caudal-fin ray is 7691% of the longest ray of the upper caudal-fin lobe. Molecular data suggest that the new species is closely related to O. mediterraneus from the Aksu and Köprüçay drainages. Although the two species are separated by only a minimum K2P distance of 1.2% in the mtDNA COI barcode region, they are well distinguished morphologically. The situation is complicated by loaches from Lake Eğirdir basin that are identified as O. nasreddini by their morphological character states but are only distinguished from O. mediterraneus by a minimum K2P distance of 0.2% in the mtDNA COI barcode region.

EmOxynoemacheilus/em emphasicus/em, a new nemacheilid loach from the eastern Black Sea basin with some remarks on other Caucasian emOxynoemacheilus/em (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae).

Oxynoemacheilus phasicus, new species, is described from the Rioni and Enguri River drainages in Georgia. It is distinguished from other Oxynoemacheilus species in the O. brandtii group by a mottled or marbled flank pattern in adults, a slightly emarginate caudal fin, and a deep caudal peduncle. Molecular data suggest that the new species is characterized by a minimum K2P distance of 7.5% from O. brandtii from the Kura drainage in the mtDNA COI barcode region. Oxynoemacheilus brandtii and O. elsae are re-diagnosed. A very slender Oxynoemacheilus from the Aras drainage clusters as sister to O. elsae in our molecular analysis and not with O. brandtii from the Kura River. However, it is identified as O. brandtii as it is indistinguishable from this species in morphological characters.

The discovery of a microbialite-associated freshwater fish in the world’s largest saline soda lake, Lake Van (Turkey)

Lake Van is the largest saline soda lake in the world and one of the world’s few endorheic lakes of greater than 3,000 km2 surface area. Despite its huge size, no fish species have so far been known to permanently occur in this lake due to its extreme environmental conditions. Here, we report the discovery of a fish population that permanently inhabits some of the unique microbialites of the lake, at a maximum depth of 13 m and about 500 m offshore. We tested whether this is an undescribed species or a new occurrence of a known species. A molecular and morphological examination showed that the newly discovered fish represents an isolated population of Oxynoemacheilus ercisianus, the only nemacheilid loach native to the freshwater tributaries of the Lake Van endorheic basin. Our further hypotheses on the prediction that (a) stream fishes would have a more anterior placement of fins than lake fishes were supported; but, that (b) stream fishes would be more slender bodied than their lake conspecifics was not supported. The lake dwelling population also shows very small sequence divergence (0.5% K2P distance) to its stream dwelling conspecific in the mtDNA-COI barcode region. The notable morphological difference with minute molecular divergence implies that the newly discovered population might have lost its link to freshwater during desiccation and transgressional phases of the Lake Van, and has adapted to a life on the microbialites.

Rhodeus caspius, a new bitterling from Iran (Teleostei: Cypriniformes: Acheilognathidae)

A new bitterling from the Rhodeus amarus group is described based on morphological and molecular data. Rhodeus caspius sp. nov. from the Caspian Sea, Urmia Lake and the upper Tigris River drainages in Iran, is distinguished from its closest congeners (R. amarus and R. colchicus) by having short post-dorsal distance and caudal peduncle length and long head length. It is also characterized by one fixed diagnostic nucleotide substitutions and a K2P nearest neighbor distance of 1% to R. amarus and R. colchicus in the mtDNA COI barcode region.

Oxynoemacheilus cilicicus, a new nemacheilid loach from the Göksu River in southern Anatolia (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae)

Oxynoemacheilus cilicicus, new species, is described from the Göksu, Seyhan and Ceyhan rivers in southern Turkey. It is distinguished from other Oxynoemacheilus species in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea basin by possession of an incomplete lateral line, terminating before the vertical of the dorsal-fin origin or slightly behind the dorsal-fin base, a deeply emarginate caudal fin, no suborbital groove in male individuals, and a series of dark-brown bars on the flank not interrupted along the lateral line. Molecular data suggest that Oxynoemacheilus cilicicus is characterised by 22 variable nucleotide substitutions and a minimum K2P distance of 4.09% with O. panthera in the mtDNA COI barcode region.

Seminemacheilus dursunavsari, a new nemachelid species (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from Turkey

Seminemacheilus dursunavsari , new species, is described from the Goksu River drainage, Eastern Mediterranean Basin, Konya Province, Turkey. This species is distinguished from the other members of the genus by a combination of the following characters: having irregular molted dark black spots and blotches on flanks, lacking blotches and spots on dorsal faces of head and ventral part of body, possessing fused black spots at base of caudal fin, a saddle-like black spot on the dorsal-fin origin, and blunt snout. Seminemacheilus dursunavsari n. sp. is also diagnosed from S. lendlii , S. ispartensis and S. ahmeti by 13 fixed, diagnostic nucleotide substitutions in the mtDNA COI barcode region, and a K2P genetic distance of 5.8, 5.6 and 4.7%, respectively.

New species of Silhouettea (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Qeshm Island, Iran andthe DNA barcoding of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea gobies.

Silhouettea ghazalae sp. nov. is described from Qeshm Island, Persian Gulf. Silhouettea ghazalae sp. nov. is distinguished from congeners by having: small mental fold present on chin, head length 31.4-32.4% of standard length, head width 24.5% of standard length, second dorsal fin I/11, anal fin I/13, breast with large cycloid scales, predorsal area naked, suborbital row b anteriorly beginning below anterior edge of pupil, posteriorly ending below pore β, suborbital row c anteriorly extending more than row b and posteriorly extending less than row b, suborbital row cp oblique with four papillae, body with four ill-defined midlateral blotches and the fifth a triangular mark on the caudal fin base, no clearly defined pale saddles on back, and the first dorsal fin pigmented with dots and with dark blotch present anteriorly. A key to Silhouettea species is provided. A dataset including novel and publicly available mtDNA COI sequences of 12 species from the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea gobies belonging to eight genera have been assembled in order to provide a reference dataset for DNA barcoding studies. The new species is further characterised by a minimum K2P distance of 21% to its closest relatives in our dataset, Cabillus tongarevaein the mtDNA COI barcode region.

Garra roseae, a new species from the Makran region in southern Iran(Teleostei: Cyprinidae).

Garra roseae, new species, is described from the stream Tang-e-Sarhe in the Iranian Makran region. It is distinguished from its congeners in the Middle East by lacking barbels, having a small mental disc, 42-58 total scales along the lateral line, 24-30 scales along the predorsal midline, and 20-24 circumpeduncular scales. It is further characterised by having five diagnostic nucleotide substitutions and a minimum K2P distance of 5.39% to G. rossica and 5.49% to G. nudiventris in the mtDNA COI barcode region. Garra phryne from eastern Iran is considered to be a synonym of G. nudiventris.