Assessing the Speciation of Lutjanus campechanus and Lutjanus purpureus through Otolith Shape and Genetic Analyses

Based on their morphological and genetic similarity, several studies have proposed that Lutjanus campechanus purpureus are the same species, but there is no confirmed consensus yet. A population-based study concerning otolith shape analyses was used to evaluate if L. species. Samples were collected from populations in southwestern Gulf of Mexico Venezuelan Caribbean. Otolith evaluated by traditional outline-based geometric morphometrics. Genetic characterization performed sequencing mtDNA control region intron 8 nuclear gene FASD2. The analysis did not indicate differences between nested PERMANOVA identified for population factor (fishing area) morphometrics indexes (p = 0.001) contour (WLT4 anterior zone, p 0.005 WLT4 posterodorsal 0.002). An AMOVA found variation geographic regions be 10%, while intrapopulation 90%. Network an important connection haplotypes different regions. phylogenetic a monophyletic group formed purpureus, suggesting insufficient evolutionary distances them. Both molecular differences, among populations, western Atlantic red snappers experiencing speciation process.