DNA barcoding application to sciaenidae

In order to select a suitable DNA barcode for identification of Sciaenidae, seventy-one individuals, including Larimichthy crocea, Larimichthy polyactis, Nibea albiflor and Collichthy lucusus, were analyzed in this study. Three kinds of mitochondrion genes, COI, 16S rRNA and D-loop, were amplified and sequenced. Inter-specific and intraspecific divergence, barcoding gap and sequence diversity were compared among these four species. The results showed that three candidates could be used to identify Larimichthy crocea, Larimichthy polyactis, Nibea albiflor and Collichthy lucusus. COI and D-loop sequences were suitable for identifying these four species, 16S rRNA had some deficiencies while some DNA barcode regions of 16S rRNA and D-loop sequences might be better candidates than the COI universal sequence. Considering primer versatility, the COI gene was recommended as the optimum DNA barcode. The study provided an important reference for the rapid identification of marine fish. (authors)