Molecular phylogeny of the families Pleuronectidae and Poecilopsettidae (PISCES, Pleuronectiformes) from Korea, with a Proposal for a new classification

A new classification of the Korean pleuronectids was proposed based on a molecular phylogeny using specimens collected from Korea (including some Japanese specimens) between 2008 and 2013. A molecular phylogeny based on partial sequences of the two mitochondrial DNA regions (COI and 16S rRNA) supported the reciprocal monophyly of the three genera, Cleisthenes, Pleuronectes and Pseudopleuronectes. We also found that the genus Poecilopsetta is clearly distinct from Pleuronectidae at the family level. Therefore, the previous classification of the Korean pleuronectids should be changed as follows; two families (Pleuronectidae and Poecilopsettidae), 18 genera, and 26 species. Further research is required to resolve the taxonomic uncertainty of the five species in the genus Limanda, which clustered into two clades in our analysis.