DNA barcode of Chaetognatha from Indian Waters

1366-1376Chaetognatha are the second most abundant zooplankton group in the Indian waters. Precise identification of the species is critical for biogeographical studies. DNA barcodes using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COI) of seven dominant and frequently occurring species of Chaetognatha from Indian waters are reported here for the first time. Average nucleotide frequencies of COI barcode were A (22.9%), T (34.7%), G (21.3%) and C (21.1%). Kimura-2-Parameter distances within and among species ranged from 0 to 0.050 and 0.050 to 0.400, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on maximum likelihood method resolved the species in accordance with morphological traits and close relationship between sister species