DNA Barcoding of Fish in Mischief Reef—Fish Diversity of a Reef Fish Community From Nansha Islands

Development of effective conservation and management strategies requires assessments ecosystem biodiversity status, especially in understudied hotspots global fish diversity. Coral reefs are important habitats for fishes, with known globally. We present the first data on molecular diversity fishes Mischief Reef, largest atoll Nansha Islands. Partial sequences (650 bp) mitochondrial COI gene (Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) used to identify 209 individuals, representing 101 species, referable 62 genera, 27 families, 8 orders, 1 class. The most abundant orders Perciformes (176 specimens, 84.21%), Tetraodontiformes (13 6.22%), Beryciformes 6.22%). Mean Kimura 2-Parameter genetic distances within 4.51, 13.90, 17.63%, respectively. record Monotaxis heterodon from this region time—a species that may previously have been misidentified as M. grandoculis . In addition, we recognized possible cryptic Lethrinus olivaceus based significantly diverging barcode sequences. Barcode provide new insights into developing further researches fauna, its conservation.