Species delimitation, molecular phylogeny and historical biogeography of the sweetlips fish (Perciformes, Haemulidae)

The subfamily Plectorhinchinae (sweetlips) is composed of poorly-known species with high commercially and ecologically values that exhibit phenotypic plasticity various morphologies. Few studies have assessed the validity sweetlips, intergeneric relationships evolutionary survey in this subfamily, which not yet been resolved. This study investigated DNA sequences (1) mitochondrial COI gene to delimit species, (2) two (COI Cyt b), one nuclear (RAG1) markers infer phylogenetic biogeographic history. molecular results could differentiate Diagramma punctatum from other but failed distinguish D. labiosum as a distinct considerably lower genetic distances for (0.53%) b (0.51%) markers. However, additional taxonomic investigations are required shed light on issue. All previously described nominal sweetlips northwest Indian Ocean were found be well supported. monophyly Plectorhinchus supported pictum should assigned genus . history likely originated Indo-Pacific ca. 34 Ma (30–39 Ma; late Eocene/ middle Oligocene) subsequently colonised Western Central Indo-Pacific. Maximum diversification within occurred Miocene Pliocene, coinciding dispersal vicariance events. Diversification was probably driven by both biological geographical factors.