Preliminary phylogeny of the genera Bairdiella and Macrodon (Pisces: Sciaenidae) from Eastern Pacific and Western Atlantic

We were used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing of 405 nucleotides of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene to elucidate the interrelationships among several species of the genera Bairdiella (croakers) and Macrodon (weakfishes) from the eastern Pacific and western Atlantic. The nucleotide sequence analysis clearly distinguished each species and in agreement supporting the current species classification. In addition, our molecular data showed the close relationship within ‘armata’ group which comprise two sympatric species (B. armata and B. ensifera) from the eastern Pacific. Our preliminary results clearly show the relevance of this molecular approach to help resolve the phylogenetic and taxonomic relationships among Bairdiella and Macrodon species.