Phylogeography of Coreoperca whiteheadi (Perciformes: Coreoperca) in China based on mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences

The phylogeography of Coreoperca whiteheadi was studied using sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) gene and first intron of the S7 ribosomal protein gene. The reciprocal monophyly mitochondrial cytb and nuclear sequences strongly suggest that C. whiteheadi has significantly reduced gene flow between populations and may be in the process of speciation. Phylogenetic analysis revealed phylogeographical structuring into two major clades (highly supported by bootstrap analysis) corresponding to the two regions divided by Nanling-Wuyi Mountain Range. Subsequent nested clade analysis confirmed this structure. The results suggest that Nanling-Wuyi Mountain Range represents a major phylogeographic barrier for C. whiteheadi. Six evolutionarily significant units of C. whiteheadi were designated from the genetic analysis for conservation and management.