Morphological characteristics and genetic diversity of <i>Terapon jarbua</i> (Forrskäl, 1775) in Central, Vietnam

Many environmental factors affect the morphology of migratory fish species, such as salinity, water flow rate, and temperature. However, studies on changes in under variations from salt to brackish are still limited many especially Terapon jarbua . This study aims investigate differences morphological parameters T. between coastal sea (seawater) lagoon (brackish water); male female based a landmark approach. Additionally, genetic diversity populations Central Vietnam was elucidated using mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mtDNA COI) sequence molecular marker. The analytical results indicated no sexual dimorphism population, yet conformational exist two studied aquatic species. analysis 42 mtDNA COI sequences collected identified 13 haplotypes with medium low differentiation Tam Giang Thua Thien Hue (Fst = 0.028) not significant (p 0.126). Most obtained present reference populations, indicating high exchange populations. We proposed that population has stable connection neighboring (China, Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan).