Analysis of distribution and taxonomy of the Barbus Cuvier and Cloquet, 1816 in Iran using COI gene

Barbels Barbus spp. is one of the most important and complex genus of the Cyprinidae family, but some species that are similar in appearance, making it difficult for researchers to identify and separate species or populations of this genus. Nowadays, new methods of DNA-based identification can solve many of the common problems that we face in morphological studies. In the present study, in order to identify and prepare a distribution map of Barbus species in Iran, Namak, Kavir, Caspian, Urmia and Tigris basins were sampled using electro-fisher. After sequencing the COI mitochondrial gene, phylogenetic trees were reconstructed using the Bayesian inference method and Maximum likelihood estimation of phylogeny. According to the results, the presence of four species of B. lacerta, B. karunensis, B. cyri and B. miliaris in the inland water basins of Iran was confirmed. In addition, the results of the mean genetic distance of K2P between species of the genus Barbus in Iran, showed that the highest genetic distance was 3.48 between two species of B. lacerta and B. miliaris and the lowest was 1.17 for two species. Also, according to the results B. urmianus regard as a synonym of B. cyri.