A new record of Sebastes koreanus from China based on morphological characters and DNA barcoding

A new record of Sebastes koreanus （Kim and Lee, 1994） was documented based on morphological characters and DNA barcoding. Fifty-six Sebastes specimens were collected from the coastal waters of northern China. Samples were identified as S. koreanus based on morphological characters. The coloration and morphometric measurements were consistent with those described from specimens collected in South Korea. In this study, specimens had the following morphological characteristics： light brown body with dark stripes and tiny dark spots, 4-5 wide indistinct vertical patterns on the side, 2 radial stripes behind and below the eyes, 1 large dark blotch on the opercle. Additionally, the following meristie characters were recorded： dorsal fin XIV-13, pectoral fin 16, anal fin III-6-7, pelvic fin [-5, lateral line scales 29-30, and vertebrae 26. The fragment of cytochrome oxidase subunit I （CO1） gene of mitochondrial DNA was sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. The mean genetic distance within the species was 0.3%. Net genetic distances between S. koreanus and other Sebastes species ranged from 3.1% to 7.6%, which was greater than the threshold for species delimitation. The phylogenetic analysis strongly supports the validity of S. koreanus in China at the genetic level. The origion, evolution, patterns of speciation and unique features in genome divergence among primate lineages of this species still need future directions of research.

A new record of Sebastes koreanus(Kim and Lee,1994) was documented based on morphological characters and DNA barcoding. Fifty-six S ebastes specimens were collected from the coastal waters of northern China. Samples were identified as S. koreanus based on morphological characters. The coloration and morphometric measurements were consistent with those described from specimens collected in South Korea. In this study,specimens had the following morphological characteristics:light brown body with dark stripes and tiny dark spots,4–5 wide indistinct vertical patterns on the side,2 radial stripes behind and below the eyes,1 large dark blotch on the opercle. Additionally,the following meristic characters were recorded:dorsal fin XIV-13,pectoral fin 16,anal fin III-6–7,pelvic fin I-5,lateral line scales 29–30,and vertebrae 26. The fragment of cytochrome oxidase subunit I(C OI) gene of mitochondrial DNA was sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. The mean genetic distance within the species was 0.3%. Net genetic distances between S. koreanus and other S ebastes species ranged from 3.1% to 7.6%,which was greater than the threshold for species delimitation. The phylogenetic analysis strongly supports the validity of S. koreanus in China at the genetic level. The origion,evolution,patterns of speciation and unique features in genome divergence among primate lineages of this species still need future directions of research.