DNA barcoding of marine fish species from Rongcheng Bay, China

Rongcheng Bay is a coastal bay of the Northern Yellow Sea, China. To investigate and monitor the fish resources in Rongcheng Bay, 187 specimens from 41 different species belonging to 28 families in nine orders were DNA-barcoded using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI). Most of the fish species could be discriminated using this COI sequence with the exception of Cynoglossus joyneri and Cynoglossus lighti. The average GC% content of the 41 fish species was 47.3%. The average Kimura 2-parameter genetic distances within the species, genera, families, and orders were 0.21%, 5.28%, 21.30%, and 23.63%, respectively. Our results confirmed that the use of combined morphological and DNA barcoding identification methods facilitated fish species identification in Rongcheng Bay, and also established a reliable DNA barcode reference library for these fish. DNA barcodes will contribute to future efforts to achieve better monitoring, conservation, and management of fisheries in this area.