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¹ Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang, Marine Science Study Program, Semarang, Indonesia
² Conservation International Aotearoa, Asia Pacific Field Division, Auckland, New Zealand
³ Universitas Diponegoro, Department of Biology, Semarang, Indonesia DOI : 10.4194/GA999 Viewed : 64 - Downloaded : 62 The genus Ecsenius (Blenniidae) is the most species-rich group of combtooth blennies, yet its evolutionary relationships remain poorly resolved. Here, we aim to examine phylogenetic patterns across Indo-West Pacific (IWP) Ecsenius (n=49) using three mitochondrial markers (16S, Control Region, and Cytochrome B). The results of pairwise genetic distance analyses revealed substantial diversity (0.00–0.21), with a species delimitation threshold of >2% based on the distance consistent with the divergence between E. schroederi and E. kurti. The phylogenetic analyses also confirmed 10 different clades within Ecsenius with a clade delimitation cutoff >8%. Neighbor-joining, Maximum Likelihood, and Bayesian Inference phylogenetic reconstructions consistently supported the monophyly of most clades, while uncovering cases of crypticity, particularly within E. yaeyamensis and E. bicolor. Complex speciation was also observed within the bandanus-randalli clade. This study suggested hidden diversity and potential undescribed taxa by the presence of recognized taxonomic units (indicated by cf.). However, a cautious note should be taken that this thesis was addressed based on mitochondrial perspectives, which are exclusive to maternal evolutionary traits. In this sense, this study generates novel mitochondrial phylogenies for the Indo-West-Pacific Ecsenius to resolve cryptic diversity, refine taxonomy, and enhance reef fish biodiversity databases. Keywords : Indo-West Pacific Blennies mtDNA Phylogenetic