Thomas, Rey C.Willette, DemianCarpenter, KentSantos, Mudjekeewis2024-05-312024-05-312014-01-08Thomas, R. C., Willette, D. A., Carpenter, K. E., & Santos, M. D. (2014). Hidden diversity in sardines: Genetic and morphological evidence for cryptic species in the goldstripe sardinella, Sardinella gibbosa (Bleeker, 1849). PLoS ONE, 9(1), e84719. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.00847191932-620310.1371/journal.pone.0084719https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14310/4Cryptic species continue to be uncovered in many fish taxa, posing challenges for fisheries conservation and management. In <i>Sardinella gibbosa</i>, previous investigations revealed subtle intra-species variations, resulting in numerous synonyms and a controversial taxonomy for this sardine. Here, we tested for cryptic diversity within <i>S. gibbosa</i> using genetic data from two mitochondrial and one nuclear gene regions of 248 individuals of <i>S. gibbosa</i>, collected from eight locations across the Philippine archipelago. Deep genetic divergence and subsequent clustering was consistent across both mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Clade distribution is geographically limited: Clade 1 is widely distributed in the central Philippines, while Clade 2 is limited to the northernmost sampling site. In addition, morphometric analyses revealed a unique head shape that characterized each genetic clade. Hence, both genetic and morphological evidence strongly suggests a hidden diversity within this common and commercially-important sardine.enAttribution 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/marine fisheriesgeographical distributionfishery managementmorphometricsarchipelagoesgenetic diversity (as resource)data processingheadfisheriesresource conservationmitochondriataxonomysamplingSardinella gibbosaSardinopsSardinellaPhilippinesArticleSardinella gibbosaSDG 14 - Life below water