Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Molecular taxonomy of Littoraria spp. (Gastropoda: Littorinidae) using mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase I sequences

Volume 67 Issue 1

K. A. K. Aneesa, B. Hari and S. Jisha

doi:10.6024/jmbai.2025.67.1.2555-02

Abstract

DNA taxonomy offers advanced possibilities for demarcating species and assessing phylogenetic relationships among them. In this study, among the 39 species recorded worldwide, 5 species of the genusLittoraria (Gastropoda: Littorinidae), found along the southern Kerala coast, were barcoded using the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene, encoding COX I. Littoraria carinifera was recorded and its presence confirmed for the first time along the Kerala coast. A neighbour-joining tree was created based on 52 mitochondrial COI barcode sequences from 10 species of the genus Littoraria, with two outgroups. It revealed monophyly with 1000-replicate bootstrapping using the Kimura two-parameter model. The average nucleotide proportions and GC content at different codon positions were calculated for each species in our study. The AT composition was significantly greater than the GC composition. Transition/transversion rate ratios for purines and pyrimidines were measured, resulting in an overall bias with R=3.876. This study will enable future research on the biogeography and population dynamics of members of this genus and provide valuable insights for conservation purposes if needed. 

Keywords

Cytochrome c oxidase I, DNA barcoding, Littoraria, rocky intertidal shore, Kerala

Date : 13-06-2025