Molecular identification and phylogenetic relationship of seahorse, Hippocampus kuda (Bleeker 1852) using mitochondrial 16S rRNA and COI gene sequences from east and west coasts of India

Abstract

Traditionally, fish species identification is based on morphological characters, yet, in many cases it is difficult toestablish identity as in the case of seahorses which lack key species-diagnostic morphological features. The spotted oryellow seahorse - Hippocampus kuda has a complex identity and the samples collected from the east and west coasts ofIndia were analyzed for the species identification and phylogenetic relationship, based on partial sequence informationof mitochondrial genes - 16S rRNA and Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I (COI). Estimates of genetic divergence withboth 16S rRNA and COI genes, when compared with the sequence divergence values of H. kuda from other continents(as obtained from NCBI accessions) were sufficient enough to discriminate individuals of the same species from Indianwaters. Pair-wise fST values using AMOVA indicated significant levels of genetic differentiation of H. kuda populationsamong east coast, Kerala and Konkan populations; however, no significant genetic partitioning was observed betweenthe Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar populations.