Species diversity and DNA barcoding of wrasses (Teleostei: Labridae) along the southwest coast of India

Wrasses are among the most interesting and numerically abundant fish families widely distributed in deep coastal marine waters. A survey was undertaken to study diversity of labrids along southwest coast India between December 2020 January 2022. total 98 specimens belonging family Labridae were collected during period, including nine species classified under five genera. The included Cheilinus chlorourus, Halichoeres timorensis, marginatus, zeylonicus, Labroides dimidiatus, Stethojulis trilineata, interrupta, Thalassoma lunare jansenii. identified through morphological studies DNA barcoding using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. analyses aimed document molecular variations from different localities. resultant data compared with identifications additional sequence GenBank. results concluded that generated mtDNA sequences wrasses matched closely available studied nested clades nearest related low Pairwise distances. recommends stock assessment India, as they heavily exploited for both food ornamental species.