Updating taxonomic and biometric knowledge of Enchelyopus cimbrius (Gadiformes, Gaidropsaridae) through morphology and DNA barcoding

Abstract

A taxonomic characterisation of Enchelyopus cimbrius (Gadiformes, Gaidropsaridae) is presented on the basis of 11 specimens from the North Atlantic. Identification was carried out by integrative taxonomy, combining the examination of morphological and molecular characters. The former are consistent with previous descriptions, but new biometric and meristic data for the species are provided, showing ontogenetic changes with respect to post-larvae-pelagic juveniles. Length–weight relationships of 44 specimens showed isometric growth, while the length-length relationships of eight body parts of the species showed differential allometric growth. The molecular analysis resulted in the addition of 11 new sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) to the molecular repositories. DNA barcoding supports the morphological identification of Enchelyopus cimbrius specimens and confirms the amphi-Atlantic distribution of the species. Updating the taxonomic data can be useful to confirm the current status or to identify divergences and also to better characterise and delimit each species, contributing to a better understanding of intraspecific variability, both morphological and molecular.