Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers based identification of blunthorn lobster <i>Palinustus waguensis</i> Kubo, 1963 from South-west coast of India

172-177The present study reports the occurrence of Palinustus waguensis Kubo, 1963 from South-west coast of India on the basis of morphological as well as molecular data. The DNA sequences of two mitochondrial genes, large subunit ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) and cytochrome oxidase I (COI), and two nuclear-protein coding genes, viz., phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and sodium-potassium ATPase α-subunit (NaK), were submitted in the GenBank. Morphological examination of the specimen confirmed the identity of the species as P. waguensis. The pairwise genetic distance analysis, sequence identity and phylogenetic tree have shown that the specimen has similarity only with 16S rDNA sequence of P. waguensis of earlier reports. In the case of other genetic markers, it has shown some identity towards P. unicornutus and P. holthuisi, but with a high genetic difference. This study with sequence data of P. waguensis in GenBank will help to identify the specimen on molecular basis in future