Taxonomic Statue of Ponticola iranicus (Teleost, Gobiidae) based on Cytochrome Oxydase sub-unit I

The family Gobiidae possesses 42 species and 15 genera in the Iranian inland waters and the genus Ponticola with 6 species has a high diversity. Morphological variation of the members of the genus Ponticola, makes their identification difficult. Recently, a new species of this genus i.e. Po. Iranicus was described from Sefid River drainage i.e. the Bijar, Gisum and Totakabon rivers, Caspian Sea basin of Iran based on the morphological characters. Therefore, this study conducted to verify the validity of this species based on COI gene and its phylogenetic position. For this purpose, specimens were collected, their DNA were extracted by phenol-chloroform method, and the cytochrome COI gene was amplified during the PCR process and then sequenced after purification. The results showed that Po. Iranicus is a valid species based on COI gene, as a sister species the Po. Syrman with about 3.0% genetic distance.