No abstract

The family sparidae is represented in Pakistan by 14 species belonging to eight genera: the genus Acanthopagrus with four species, A. berda, A. arabicus, A. sheim, and A. catenula; Rhabdosargus, Sparidentex and Diplodus are each represented by two species, R. sarba and R. haffara, Sparidentex hasta and S. jamalensis, and Diplodus capensis and D. omanensis, and the remaining four genera are represented by single species, Crenidens indicus, Argyrops spinifer, Pagellus affinis, and Cheimerius nufar. Five species, Acanthopagrus arabicus, A. sheim, A. catenula, Diplodus capensis and Rhabdosargus haffara are reported for the first time from Pakistani coastal waters. The Arabian Yellowfin Seabream Acanthopagrus arabicus and Spotted Yellowfin Seabream Acanthopagrus sheim have only recently been described from Pakistani waters, while Diplodus omanensis and Pagellus affinis are newly identified from Pakistan. Acanthopagrus catenula has long been incorrectly identified as A. bifasciatus, a species which has not been recorded from Pakistan. All species are briefly described and a key is provided for them.

No abstract

The mullets are a widespread group of ecologically and economically important fishes of disputed taxonomy due to their uniform external morphology. Barcoding and phylogenetic studies from various locations around the world largely highlighted the species diversity underestimation using morphological criteria used to establish the taxonomy of the family. Here, we investigated the mullet species diversity from Pakistan, a biogeographic area where nearly no mullet species were genetically characterized. Morphological examination of 40 mullets reveals 6 known species (Planiliza macrolepis, P. klunzingeri, P. subviridis, Crenimugil seheli, Ellochelon vaigiensis, and Mugil cephalus). Using a references DNA barcode library, the DNA barcode-based species identification flagged eight molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) belonging to five genera (Crenimugil, Ellochelon, Mugil, Osteomugil, and Planiliza). Among these MOTUs, only one was already present in Barcode of Life Data system, all other representing new Barcode Index Numbers (BIN). These results emphasize the importance of the recognition of cryptic species and the necessity to re-evaluate the overall diversity by the genetic characterization of different species of this family. DNA barcoding is an effective tool to reveal cryptic species that need to be considered in conservation and management measures of fisheries in Pakistan.