Molecular Discrimination of morphologically similar fishery species: The Case of Tridentiger bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus

Abstract

Taxonomic studies demonstrated that Tridentiger bifasciatus and Tridentiger trigonocephalus were homologous species with highly analogous external morphology, which rendered them challenging to distinguish from one another. The results of species distribution modeling indicated that T. bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus exhibited significant overlap in their distribution points and suitable habitats, primarily concentrated in areas where freshwater and saltwater converge at river mouths. This paper presented a T. bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus species-specific marker, specific primers, applications, and a method for rapid identification in species identification to overcome the inadequacy of existing detection techniques for species identification of T. bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus. A pair of primers could be used to amplify two DNA fragments of 497 bp and 644 bp with a difference of 147 bp in T. bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus individuals, only a single DNA fragment of 497 bp in T. bifasciatus individuals and 644 bp in a T. trigonocephalus. The DNA of individuals of T. bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus could be amplified and resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis, reducing the time required for the identification of T. bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus. Tridentiger species, reducing the time required for the accurate identification of T. bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus, and improving the efficiency of species identification detection. This method provides an efficient, rapid, and accurate identification of T. bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus species. It is significant and valuable for accurately assessing fishery resources and conserving biodiversity of T. bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus. Additionally, it improves knowledge of sustainable replenishment of the resources of T. bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus.