Integrative taxonomy of Anoplogaster cornuta (Trachichthyiformes, Anoplogastridae) from western North Atlantic: new insights

Abstract

A taxonomic revision of Anoplogaster cornuta (Trachichthyiformes, Anoplogastridae) based on specimens from the western North Atlantic is presented. Nineteen specimens were captured on Flemish Cap, western North Atlantic, by scientific surveys. Identification was carried out by integrative taxonomy, combining examination of morphological and molecular characters (DNA barcoding). Morphological examination confirmed several hitherto questionable taxonomic characters of the species, such as the presence of 8–9 branchiostegal rays and 3–5 fang-like teeth on the lower jaw. As a result of the molecular analysis, 19 new sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 COI were added to molecular repositories. DNA barcoding supports the morphological identification of the specimens of A. cornuta from the western North Atlantic, and it also confirms the current status of a single species with a worldwide distribution. The combination of classical and molecular taxonomy has been useful for the delimitation and characterization of this deepwater species, contributing to a better understanding of its intraspecific morphological and molecular variability.