Early larvae of Zesticelus profundorum (family Cottidae) identified using DNA barcoding

Early larvae of Flabby Sculpin, Zesticelus profundorum, are described using DNA barcoding methods to identify specimens collected in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. Based on the low myomere count, distribution of larvae, and vertebral counts in adults, we selected Zesticelus profundorum and Sebastolobus macrochir as good potential candidates for genetic comparison. We used DNA samples from voucher specimens of each candidate taxon to identify species-specific sequences. An exact match in sequence data allowed us to positively identify these larvae as Zesticelus profundorum, a rare deepwater species of the family Cottidae.