Phylogenetic relationships in grey mullets (Mugilidae) in a Tunisian lagoon

Abstract

The Mugilidae family is an important fish group representing a major source for fisheries and aquaculture. In the south Mediterranean bank, no data are available on this fauna, except for some morphological studies on Tunisian samples. In this study, 16 allozymic loci were used to investigate the phylogenetic relationships within Tunisian mugilids. The results obtained from Hergla lagoon samples highlight five operational taxonomic unit corresponding to the well‐known species (Liza aurata, Liza ramada, Liza saliens, Chelon labrosus, Mugil cephalus). Several loci appeared to be diagnostic of these species, but in contrast to Greek mugilid samples, we did not find any diagnostic locus fixed differently for the five species. These results can help aquaculture units to identify accurately the mullet species they subsequently use for stocking aquaculture ponds and inland waters. However, species identity represents very important information, as each species has a different growth rate and salinity tolerance. On the other hand, when compared with North Mediterranean Mugilidae analysed until now, Tunisian samples show a genetic differentiation that could be related to different physicochemical conditions between the North and South banks, similar to those recorded in the eastern and western two Mediterranean basins separated by the Siculo‐Tunisian strait. In addition, this study confirms the morphological taxonomy, except for the subdivision of the Liza genus into two sub‐genera. The phylogenetic tree is in agreement with that on Languedoc Mugilidae samples (France), indicating that the subdivision of the Liza genus into two sub‐genera appears to be without any genetic base.

Phenotype and genotype differentiation between flathead grey mullet [Mugil cephalus] and thinlip grey mullet [Liza ramada (Pisces: Mugilidae)]

“…Moreover, RAPD analysis might be useful for systematic investigation at the level of species and subspecies (Bardakci and Skibinski, 1994), and more sensitive and technically easier to perform and produced results with low statistical error, whereas DNA fingerprinting detected greater genetic differentiation between Nile tilapia stains than other molecular techniques such as multilocus minisatellite marker (Naish et al, 1995). The results of this study are consistent with the findings reported by (Papasotiropoulos et al, 2001(Papasotiropoulos et al, , 2002(Papasotiropoulos et al, , 2007Blel et al, 2008;Semina et al, 2007), they applied several techniques for genetic analysis among Mugilidae family and reported that M. cephalus is the most distinct species compared with Liza genus. Also, the results confirmed that the amount of differences in genotype reflected the same amount of differences in phenotype between M. cephalus and L. ramada.…”

Molecular Identification of Grey Mullet species in the Mediterranean Sea of Egypt

“…The second clade including Mugil cephalus. The results of this study are consistent with the findings reported by (Papasotiropoulos et al, 2001(Papasotiropoulos et al, , 2002(Papasotiropoulos et al, , 2007Blel et al, 2008;Semina et al, 2007), they applied several techniques for genetic analysis among Mugilidae family and reported that M. cephalus is the most distinct species compared with Liza genus The result of genetic similarity among Mullet species indicated highly expected success of interspecific hybridization between Liza aurata, Liza saline, and Liza ramada also the hybridization may be succeeded between Mugil cephalus and Liza group. The genetic similarity by RAPD marker can be used as a rapid method for predicting the specific hybridization between Mullet spp.…”

Systematics of the grey mullets (Teleostei: Mugiliformes: Mugilidae): Molecular phylogenetic evidence challenges two centuries of morphology-based taxonomy

“…Phylogenetic relationships within the Mugilidae have largely been based on specimens collected within particular geographic regions, such as India (Menezes, 1992), East Asia (Lee et al, 1995, Liu et al, 2010, America (Fraga et al, 2007), and the Mediterranean (Autem and Bonhomme, 1980;Blel et al, 2008;Caldara et al, 1996;Erguden et al, 2010;Gornung et al, 2007;Imsiridou et al, 2007;Murgia et al, 2002;Papasotiropoulos et al, 2001Papasotiropoulos et al, , 2002Papasotiropoulos et al, , 2007Rossi et al, 1998aRossi et al, , 2004Semina et al, 2007;Turan et al, 2005). The above studies have generally demonstrated an early rapid divergence for the Mugil lineage and have led to a questioning of the monophyly of the genera Chelon and Liza (Aurelle et al 2008).…”