Misidentification of Three Mullet Species Under Family Mugilidae Due to Differential Pigmentation Pattern

The mullet species under the family Mugilidae, considered to be a commercially important teleost, are mostly found in coastal waters throughout world, distributed tropical, subtropical and temperate areas. In terms of taxonomic study, biogeography distribution pattern mullets remain unclear due difficulty separating based on morphological characters. Thus, there is need study taxonomy Mugilidae. Further, phylogeny Mugilidae also exceptionally obscure at inter intraspecific levels challenges exist family. present has brought new observation form temporary black dots (patrial pigmentation abnormality), especially three were observed. Sometimes these can lead misidentification or identification as different species. DNA Barcoding (COI gene) morpho-meristic analysis performed resolve ambiguity identification, confirmed Mugil cephalus, Planiliza sp., Osteomugil perusii. Present will help avoid species, which assist biologists managers for acquiring more information their life history pattern.