Cryptic species and parallel genetic structuring in Lethrinid fish: Implications for conservation and management in the southwest Indian Ocean.

摘要: Analysis of genetic variation can provide insights into ecological and evolutionary diversification which, for commercially harvested species, also be relevant to the implementation spatial management strategies sustainability. In comparison with other marine biodiversity hot spots, there has been less research on fauna southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO). This is epitomized by lack information lethrinid fish, which support socioeconomically important fisheries in region. study combines comparative phylogeographic population analyses niche modeling investigate historical contemporary dynamics two species emperor fish (Lethrinus mahsena Lethrinus harak) across SWIO. Both shared similarly shallow patterns modeled (LGM) habitat occupancies. For both allele frequency kinship microsatellite revealed highly significant structure no clear geographical pattern nonrandom relatedness among individuals within samples. The indicate recurrent processes region that prevent mixing, at least timescales interest fishery managers, potential roles recruitment variability isolation are discussed light biological environmental information. consistency indicates use model may valuable initiatives finite resources predict structure, cases wherein biogeographic differences between taxa minimized. Paradoxically, mtDNA sequencing analysis samples from Seychelles a cryptic occurring sympatry with, seemingly morphologically identical to, L. mahsena. BLAST results point likely misidentification incongruence voucher specimens, DNA barcodes, taxonomy group, highlights utility necessity approaches characterize baseline before such model-based methods employed.