Análise integrativa para validação da diversidade de peixes voadores (Exocoetidae) no arquipélago de São Pedro e São Paulo, região meso-atlântica

Abstract

The Exocoetidae family, which includes flying fish, is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical waters, is epipelagic and inhabits the surface layers of open oceans. In Brazil, this family is represented by 19 species. In addition to their diversity, flying fish constitute a valuable biological model for ecological and evolutionary studies, due to their diverse morphological specializations. In addition, they play a crucial role in the food chain, being the preferred prey of predators of high commercial value, among which the Dourado (Coryphaena hippurus), Albacora (Thunnus albacares) and Tuna (Thunnus atlanticus). The monophyly of the Exocoetidae family is solidly established through morphological and molecular data. However, genomic information is still incipient to assess the current diversity of flying fish, especially of the species that occur in the São Pedro and São Paulo archipelago (ASPSP). This study aims to provide information on flying fish (Exocoetidae) from the São Pedro and São Paulo Archipelago, contributing to biodiversity prospecting. All species were identified by morphometric and morphological characteristics, validated by sequencing with the molecular marker Cytochrome C Oxidase I (COI) and compared with sequences deposited in the GenBank/BOLD sequence bank. As a result, 32 specimens were collected at ASPSP, distributed in three species and only one at the genus level, Hirundichtys affinis, Cheilopogon cyanopterus, Cheilopogon sp., Exocoetus volitans.