Morphological and Genetic Differentiation of Loliolus (Nipponololigo) beka (Cephalopoda: Loliginidae) in Coastal China

The population genetic structure of 211 samples Loliolus (Nipponololigo) beka, which were selected from across seven geographic localities—in the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea and East China Sea—were analyzed using mitochondrial COI 16S rRNA gene markers. Phylogenetic trees a haplotype network both showed that L. (N.) beka localities genetically distinct, forming two homogeneous lineages: Lineage A B. results an AMOVA variation in populations was dominated by between lineages, distance differentiation indices indicated lineages Chinese waters had reached level species divergence. To further confirm differences shown molecular results, we performed detailed analysis based on morphometric observations multivariate statistical to compare morphology characteristics there significant (p < 0.05) ventral mantle length (VML); width index (MWI); fin (FWI); head (HLI); left Arm IV (LALI4), right III (RALI3), (RALI4), hectocotylized proportion (HcL%) lineages. also supported for number sucker ring teeth. Accordingly, morphological confirmed provided additional evidence presence cryptic coastal areas China.