Genetic and morphological features of Misgurnus sp. (clade A) (Cypriniformes, Cobitidae) collected from Miyagi Prefecture, eastern Honshu, Japan

Abstract

The genetic characteristics of the mitochondrial DNA control region, the morphological features of lamina circularis and body shape were investigated for loach that seemed to belong to Misgurnus sp. (clade A) (sensu Nakajima & Uchiyama 2017) collected from Miyagi Prefecture, eastern Honshu, Japan. The “clade A” of Miyagi Prefecture belonged to a different sub-clade within the same genetic clade as “Kitadojo”from Shimokita Peninsula. The eye diameter and the length of maxillary barbels were close to the “Kitadojo”, however, the shape of lamina circularis was different. This clade A population may be an unknown native population distinguished from “Kitadojyo”, or a hybrid population with Misgurnus anguillicaudatus derived from artificial release.