Identification of small juvenile scombrids from northwest tropical Australia using mitochondrial DNA cytochrome <Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis> sequences |
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Authors: | Mark D Robertson Jenny R Ovenden Stephen C Barker |
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Institution: | (1) Parasitology Section, School of Molecular & Microbial Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia;(2) Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Molecular Fisheries Laboratory, Floor 6, North Tower, Queensland Biosciences Precinct, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia, 4072 |
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Abstract: | Small juveniles of the nine species of scombrids in Australian waters are morphologically similar to one another and, consequently,
difficult to identify to species level. We show that the sequence of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene region is a powerful tool for identification of these young fish. Using this method, we identified 50 juvenile scombrids
collected from Exmouth Bay, Western Australia. Six species of scombrids were apparent in this sample of fish: narrow-barred
Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta), frigate tuna (Auxis thazard), bullet tuna (Auxis rochei), leaping bonito (Cybiosarda elegans), and kawakawa (Euthynnus affinis). The presence of Indian mackerel, frigate tuna, leaping bonito, and kawakawa is the first indication that coastal waters
may be an important spawning habitat for these species, although offshore spawning may also occur. The occurrence of small
juvenile S. commerson was predicted from the known spawning patterns of that species, but other mackerel species (Scomberomorus munroi, Scomberomorus queenslandicus, Scomberomorus semifasiciatus) likely to be spawning during the sampling period were not detected among the 50 small juveniles analyzed here. |
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Keywords: | Scombridae Juveniles Northwestern Australia DNA identification Cytochrome b |
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