Discovery of eggs from four species of Ohpichthidae and Congridae (Anguilliformes) in the northern East China Sea based on DNA barcoding

Abstract

Eggs of four species of Anguilliformes were first discovered by genetic identification in the northern East China Sea, where leptocephali and adults have been observed. The species were Ophisurus macrorhynchos and Echelus uropterus belonging to Ophichthidae, and Ariosoma major and Gnathophis heterognathos belonging to Congridae. The eggs were identified using three molecular genetic markers (mitochondrial 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and COI), sequences obtained from local adult specimens, and geographic distribution data. Developmental stages of all eggs were in the early or middle. For all species except A. major, the eggs were found near the range of small leptocephali, which indicates these species spawn near the East China Sea.g to Ophichthidae, and Ariosoma major and Gnathophis heterognathos belonging to Congridae. The eggs were identified using three molecular genetic markers (mitochondrial 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and COI), sequences obtained from local adult specimens, and geographic distribution data. Developmental stages of all eggs were in the early or middle. For all species except A. major, the eggs were found near the range of small leptocephali, which indicates these species spawn near the East China Sea.