Molecular identification and phylogenetic relationships of Coleoidea (Mollusca: Cephalopoda) from the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea reveals a case of cryptic diversity |
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Authors: | Shadi Khatami Parviz Tavakoli-Kolour Tooraj Valinassab Frank E. Anderson Ahmad Farhadi |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Marine Biology, Bandar-Abbas Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran;2. Young Researchers and Elite Club, Bandar Abbas Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran;3. Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Tehran, Iran;4. Department of Zoology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, USA;5. School of Biological Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand;6. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran |
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Abstract: | The Persian Gulf and Oman Sea constitute one of the most important marine ecosystems and have many economically important aquatic species, including several coleoid cephalopods. Some coleoids are difficult to identify using traditional morphological characteristics. In this study, two mitochondrial fragments, cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and the large ribosomal subunit (16S rRNA), were used for identification of coleoid species in four regions in the northern Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. The study led to the identification of potential cryptic species of Sepia, Amphioctopus and Uroteuthis. Furthermore, Euprymna hyllebergi was reported for the first time from the Persian Gulf. A high diversity of Coeloidea was found in the study area. Mean intraspecific and interspecific nucleotide distances for COI were 0%–2% and 2%–7%, respectively, while these values for 16S rRNA sequences were 0%–1% and 1%–4%. Given the uncertainty about species identity and the high levels of intraspecific genetic diversity reported for some species in GenBank, a comprehensive global study will be needed to resolve the taxonomic status of several coleoid species. |
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Keywords: | COI cuttlefish octopus 16S ribosomal RNA Sepia pharaonic squid |
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