Molecular phylogenetic analyses of mullets (Mugilidae, Mugiliformes) based on two mitochondrial genes

Abstract

Molecular phylogenetic studies are very scarce for the Mugilidae family; the present analysis using DNA sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cytochrome b genes is the first study involving Brazilian mugilids. The results corroborate the monophyly of Mugil and are elucidative for the taxonomy of Brazilian mugilids. Mugil curema is clearly divided into two genetically distinct taxa, M. curema type I being closer related to Mugil hospes and the true M. curema (type II) grouping significantly with M. incilis. The results also suggest that Mugil liza and Mugil platanus should be treated as a single species or even populations of Mugil cephalus.

Karyotype characterization of Mugil incilis Hancock, 1830 (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae), including a description of an unusual co-localization of major and minor ribosomal genes in the family

“…As a matter of fact, the conservative external morphology of the family is at the basis of many systematic problems, as evidenced by the reduction of 233 nominal species to only 80 valid species (Pauly & Froese, 2010). Specifically considering mullet in the area, through different mtDNA markers (Fraga et al, 2007;Heras et al, 2009;BOLD), at least three different clusters can be identified within M. curema, which also include other mullet species. Similarly, in the same species complex, from a cytogenetic point of view, in addition to the two cytotypes described above, it has to be mentioned the chromosome complement of M. rubrioculus, formerly considered M. curema ( Nirchio et al, 2003Nirchio et al, , 2007, which has allowed to confirm it as a valid species.…”

Genetic differentiation in the populations of red piranha, Pygocentrus nattereri Kner (1860) (Characiformes: Serrasalminae), from the river basins of northeastern Brazil

“…Molecular techniques, including sequences of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have proven especially effective for the evaluation of the genetic diversity of a wide range of fish taxa, and the Control Region has been used for the analysis of the population structure of a large number of species (Santos et al, 2004;Calcagnotto et al, 2005;Fraga et al, 2007;Cheng et al, 2012;Borba et al, 2013).…”

Ligophorus uruguayense sp. nov. (Monogenea, Ancyrocephalidae), a gill parasite from Mugil platanus (Mugiliformes, Mugilidae) in Uruguay

“…The taxonomic status of Mugil platanus Günther, 1880 is still controversial, with some authors considering it as a distinct population of Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758 (see Fraga et al 2007), and others as a different species (Castro et al 2008). The parasites of mullets have been thoroughly studied because of their importance for human consumption (Paperna and Overstreet 1981, Juárez-Arroyo and Salgado-Maldonado 1989, VallesRíos et al 2000.…”