The purpose of this study is a taxonomic review of the family Labridae distributed in Vietnam. Currently, 11 species belong to Cheilinus, Halichoeres, Iniistius, Scarus, and Oxycheilinus are described based on morphological characters. Combined with Genbank sequences, a phylogenetic tree was constructed based on 16S gene of mitochondrial DNA. A comprehensive survey and checklist update of Labridae in Vietnam is necessary. | Journal of Fisheries science and Technology Special issue - 2015 PRELIMINARY TAXONOMIC REVIEW OF WRASSES SPECIES (LABRIDAE) FROM VIETNAM WITH AN INTEGRATION OF MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR DATA Dang Thuy Binh1, Le Phan Khanh Hung1, Truong Thi Oanh1, Luong Thi Tuong Vi1 ABSTRACT The family Labridae (the wrasses) containing 82 genera and about 600 species of fish – is the fifth largest fish family and second largest marine fish family. The Labridae is one of the most morphologically and ecologically diversified families of fish in size, shape and color. They eat algae and organic detritus, having an important role in helping to restore coral reefs after impact of environmental perturbations. The classification of Labridae in Vietnam is based primarily on morphological characteristics. The purpose of this study is a taxonomic review of the family Labridae distributed in Vietnam. Currently, 11 species belong to Cheilinus, Halichoeres, Iniistius, Scarus, and Oxycheilinus are described based on morphological characters. Combined with Genbank sequences, a phylogenetic tree was constructed based on 16S gene of mitochondrial DNA. A comprehensive survey and checklist update of Labridae in Vietnam is necessary. The research results can be used as data sources for the study of biodiversity and management of reef fishes resources in Vietnam. Keywords: Labridae, Reef fishe Morphology, Phylogeny, Mitochondrial DNA I. INTRODUCTION The family Labridae (the wrasses) are a diverse group of fishes that vary in body shape, size and coloration (Mark et al., 2005). Labrids inhabit tropical marine and temperate waters around the world, and are most common in shallow waters in a variety of habitats such as coral reefs, rocky reefs, sand, grass and algae (Carpenter et al., 2001). Fishes of the family Labridae have an important role for general marine ecosystems and coral reefs in particular. They eat algae and organic detritus, helping to restore coral reefs after impact of .
