Do Genetically Distinct Rougheye Rockfish Sibling Species Differ Phenotypically

Abstract Two cryptic species of rougheye rockfish Sebastes aleutianus, which we refer to as types I and II, have been identified independently from DNA (microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA [mtDNA]) markers and from distributions of allozyme allele frequencies. Visual differences that discriminate between these species in the field would improve their conservation and management. To delineate species, we used two microsatellite loci, μSma6 and μSma7, in conjunction with mtDNA site differences for the restriction enzymes Cfo I in the region of NADH dehydrogenase (ND) subunits 3 and 4 and Mbo I in the region of ND subunits 5 and 6. We compared meristic characters and morphological dimensions of the genetically determined species and observed that although all parameters had overlapping distributions, type II rougheye rockfish have slightly fewer and shorter gill rakers and deeper bodies. Discriminant analysis of morphological characteristics accurately delineated the species (>94%). Rougheye rockfish have t...