Molecular characterization of Malapterurus minjiriya S agua, 1987 and phylogenetic relationships within the genus Malapterurus ( S ilurifomes, M alapteruridae) from N igerian inland water bodies

Molecular (mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1– COI ) analysis was performed to characterize the poorly known Malapterurus minjiriya from Nigerian inland water bodies. Integrative taxonomy, involving morphological and molecular data, confirms the identity of M. minjiriya . Matrilineal genealogy reveals a sister relationship of M. minjiriya with Malapterurus electricus and Malapterurus microstoma . The genetic analysis further shows evidence of population divergence within M. electricus and Malapterurus beninensis . The findings of the study highlight the importance of the integration of DNA barcoding in biodiversity documentation of freshwater fish species in Nigeria.