Integrated taxonomy using mitochondrial markers reveals a new genus and species of Belonidae

Abstract The present study erects a new genus (Magnaluscus gen. nov.) and defines a new species (Magnaluscus mariae sp. nov.) in the family Belonidae from the coasts of Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago, based on an integrated taxonomic approach. Magnaluscus gen. nov. is distinguishable from other genera primarily by morphological characters including, its rounded body shape, vertical bars on body, absence of gill rakers, absence of lateral keels on caudal peduncle and large eyes (3.9–4.12% standard length). The new species M. mariae is characterized by near opposite insertions of dorsal and anal fins, shallow body, vertebrae (74–76), dorsal fin count (19–20), anal fin count (18–19) and branchiostegal rays (16). Molecular phylogenetic analysis also supported the morphological delimitation. The analysis of partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene sequences indicates the existence of a monophyletic clade different from other known genera. The inter-generic distance calculated using the Kimura 2 parameter is 10 to 18%. Ablennes and Tylosurus are closely related to new genus (10–12%) but can be differentiated using unique morphological features like laterally compressed body in the case of Ablennes and the presence of weak, pigmented lateral keels in Tylosurus.