Phylogenetic relationships of nine mullet species (Mugilidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

Phylogenetic relationships among four genera and nine species (Mugil cephalus, Mugil soiuy, Liza ramada, Liza aurata, Liza abu, Liza saliens, Liza carinata, Chelon labrosus, Oedalechilus labeo) of the Mediterranean mullets (Mugilidae) were investigated by means of allozyme electrophoresis using a seven-enzyme system (CK*, GAPDH*, G3PDH*, IDHP*, ME*, MDH*, PGM*) comprising eleven putative loci. The highest genetic divergence was 1.299, detected between M. cephalus and L. aurata and the lowest (0.280) was found between L. carinata and L. saliens. The amount of genetic divergence between the genera Chelon and Oedalechilus did not appear to be high (0.285). In a UPGMA tree, all nine species were grouped in two main branchings. In the first branch, C. labrosus and O. labeo clustered as closest taxa and were sister group to L. ramada. The other four Liza species produced two sub-branching in this group; L. carinata branched together with L. saliens, and L. aurata branched together with L. abu. In the second branch the two species of the genus Mugil, M. cephalus and M. soiuy, clustered together and were clearly isolated from the other three genera.