Differentiation and Relationships of the Family Hemitripteridae according to DNA Variability Data

Species of the family Hemitripteridae have been studied using analysis of variability of molecular markers: COI genes, cytochrome b, 16S rRNA of the mitochondrial genome, and RAG1 of the nuclear genome. Nucleotide substitutions common to the species of the genera Blepsias and Hemitripterus have been found in the sequences of mitochondrial genes. A monophyly of the family within Blepsias and Hemitripterus is shown based on molecular phylogeny. The species of the genus Nautichthys are significantly differentiated from sea ravens; it has been suggested that they should be removed from the family Hemitripteridae. The sister relationships of the families Hemitripteridae and Agonidae have been confirmed.