The blue-spotted
maskray from Guadalcanal Island is anatomically and genetically different from Neotrygon
kuhlii with which it was previously confused and it is genetically distinct
from all other species in the genus Neotrygon. In this study it had its entire
genome processed to determine if it was an entirely different species.
On the
basis of the nucleotide sequence at cytochrome oxidase 1 gene locus it is
compared to other closely related counterparts. The study concludes that the
CO1 gene locus is unique to the Neotrygon family and they possess a d distinct
thymine group at nucleotide site 420 and a guanine at nucleotide site 522. By
looking at the family they can tell if the two are in the same family and is
the same species or a whole new species in the same family. Average nucleotide
divergences between pairs of sequences within a lineage and net nucleotide
divergences were estimated using a substitution model, the conclusion yielded
negative results signifying that because of the slight difference in the CO1
gene site the Guadalcanal maskray stands alone from all other rays thought to
be in its lineage.
The
implication of the genetic finds mean that there could be tons of more closely
related species out there just waiting to be genetically tested. It is one
thing to use observation and analyze morphometric and meristic characteristics
of an organism, but as you assess organisms throughout their home range you
might be able to see small coloration differences and other noticeable blurs
and color variances. Genetic analysis eliminates all of this, no there is no
confusion in the breakdown of the genome, and this is what in the field of
marine biology is being utilized to help aid scientists and differentiate
different species so everything can be maintained more efficiently.
In
conclusion, the Guadalcanal maskray only had three specimens to use to
determine if it was an existing species or a related species, over time the
specimens faded and the use of color was no longer a viable option, thus yes,
morphometric and meristic are still accurate but it is very hard to tell when
there isn’t a baseline for color, genetics was used to compare the CO1 loci and
it was determined that the Guadalcanal mask ray is a new species. The
nucleotide distance with other species in the genus Neotrygon is unique
denoting something that hasn’t been seen concluding that the mask ray is in
fact a new species.
I've been studying marine biology as my major and find this article pretty awesome. I am sure there are so many different species that may look the same but are genetically different. It would be cool to sequence as much as possible in order to determine these differences.
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