Genomics overrules mitochondrial DNA, siding with morphology on a controversial case of species delimitation.

ABSTRACT: Species delimitation is a major quest in biology and is essential for adequate management of the organismal diversity. A challenging example comprises the fish species of red snappers in the Western Atlantic. Red snappers have been traditionally recognized as two separate species based on morphology: Lutjanus campechanus (northern red snapper) and L. purpureus (southern red snapper). Recent genetic studies using mitochondrial markers, however, failed to delineate these nominal species, leading to the current lumping of the northern and southern populations into a single species ( L. campechanus). This decision carries broad implications for conservation and management as red snappers have been commercially over-exploited across the Western Atlantic and are currently listed as vulnerable. T

SUBMITTER: Pedraza-Marron CDR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6501682 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature