Molecular identification and first morphological description of the Colorado snapper Lutjanus colorado (Perciformes: Lutjanidae) larvae

This research study obtained the first morphological description of the Colorado snapper (Lutjanus colorado) larvae assisted by DNA barcoding as a molecular identification tool. Sixteen Lutjanidae larvae were separated from zooplankton samples and selected for this study. A fragment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) of 658 bp was used in the analyses of intra- and interspecific genetic divergences; a neighbour-joining tree (NJ) of K2P distances was performed with reference sequences of 15 Lutjanidae species from the Northeastern Tropical Pacific. Genetic divergences and the NJ tree identified 16 larvae as L. colorado. Morphological investigations of larvae at different developmental stages were performed; similarities and differences are discussed in comparison to four species described previously for the Northeastern Pacific. Pigmentation patterns were the best diagnostic features, particularly the caudal melanophores, at least up to 12.4 mm body length.

Automated summary

This research study provides the first morphological description of the Colorado snapper larvae using DNA barcoding. The study used a mitochondrial gene, COI, to analyze genetic differences among L. colorado and other Lutjanidae species. The results confirmed the identification of 16 larvae as L. colorado and discussed the similarities and differences in morphology compared to other species in the Northeastern Pacific.