Species Identification of Larval Fish in Hawaiian Waters Using DNA Barcoding

Taxonomic information is important to fisheries management and conservation. In this study, we collected 95 specimens of larval fish from Hawaiian waters a total 92 mitochondrial COI barcode sequences were obtained, representing 20 species, 18 genera 12 families. The determined average Kimura-2-parameter distances within genera, families, orders 0.72%, 25.99%, 26.30%, 27.50%, respectively, the mean interspecific distance was found be 36-fold higher than intraspecific distance. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that individuals belonging same species clustered together could clearly distinguished. findings study can make valuable contribution our knowledge diversity dispersal in waters.