Mitochondrial DNA suggests Hybridization in Freshwater Stingrays Potamotrygon (POTAMOTRYGONIDAE: MYLIOBATIFORMES) from the Xingu river, Amazonia and reveals speciation in Paratrygon aireba

In the Xingu river basin, Brazil, occurs two genera of Potamotrygonidae family: Potamotrygon and Paratrygon. this region, taxa have significant economic importance for ornamental fishing industry, being intensively captured, especially species leopoldi, which is endemic to basin. attempt propose a species-specific DNA marker from Xingu, as well ensuring robust reliable molecular identification, present work analysed mitochondrial gene portions Cytochrome Oxidase C – subunit I (COI) B (Cytb) five species: P. leopoldi; orbignyi; motoro; scobina Paratrygon aiereba. We found haplotype sharing, with total absence reciprocal monophyly in majority taxa. Individuals morphologically identified showed another, suggesting first record hybridization amongst freshwater stingrays Xingu. Also, we detected deep divergence among aiereba haplotypes, indicative speciation, possibility new river. Therefore, although still confusing controversial taxonomy stingrays, evidencing processes that may shaped evolutionary history Family, genes COI Cytb can successfully help their identification.