Fish Taxa

A Comprehensive Revision of the Coryphaena Genus Based on Morphological and Genetic Evidence: Systematic and Biogeographic Perspectives

Ayşe Demir
Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey

Abstract

The authors perform an extensive taxonomic revision of Coryphaena genus through the combination of morphological evaluation and genetic sequence analysis to define species relationships. The commercially important mahi-mahi species among other species of the Coryphaena genus have distinctive morphological characteristics but scientists continue to dispute their exact species numbers. The research combines morphological study with DNA sequence analysis of mitochondria to determine substantial genetic variations in the genus which reveals previously undiscovered species. Traditional species classification methods based on external characteristics should adapt to integrate new genetic discovery groups in order to create a better understanding of Coryphaena evolutionary origins. The revision holds importance for biodiversity research and for conservation strategies and sustainable management of marine resources and provides researchers better methods for upcoming species preservation work. Scientific research about the Coryphaena genus including the mahi-mahi species (Coryphaena hippurus) has persisted for many years due to ecological value and commercial import. Research conducted by integrating structural and genetic data has determined essential knowledge about the evolutionary history of this genus. The body form of Coryphaena species includes an extended body with tall dorsal fins although variations in fin shapes and skull structures and color patterns create ambiguities about taxonomic classification in the genus.

Keywords

Coryphaena Genus (GG), Morphological (MM), Genetic Evidence (GE), Systematic (SS), Biogeographic Perspectives (BP).