en Biology & physiology Biology & physiology پژوهشي Orginal research papers <p><span lang="TR" style="font-size:11.0pt"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black">The Nemipteridae fish family is a colored marine fish species having elongated bodies and filamentous dorsal fin extensions. They are widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific Oceans and prefer to live in shallow coastal waters, often over muddy and sandy bottoms. This fish family has economic value in Southeast Asia and is widely consumed as food. In this study, we conducted the DNA barcoding of the Nemipteridae<i> </i>fish family. Five different species of Nemipteridae were taken from the marine waters of Pakistan. A total of 33 specimens belonging to five species and three genera were collected from 2019 to 2023. This study delineated two cryptic species (<i>Nemipterus japonicus</i> and <i>Nemipterus randallii</i>) on the&nbsp;molecular basis. The phylogenetic tree was made and showed genus-wise clustering of the species. A clear sister clade was able to be seen within the <i>N. japonicus</i> and <i>N. randalli</i>, Moreover, the barcode gap showed a significant genetic gap between these species, validating them as separate species. The present study of DNA barcodes has demonstrated high efficiency in the&nbsp;identification of species. This is the first study that explores the genetic basis of the family Nemipteridae from the coastal area of Pakistan.</span></span></span></p> DNA barcoding, Genetic diversity, Threadfin Breams, Cryptic species, Arabian Sea 1127 1139 http://jifro.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-5138-4&slc_lang=en&sid=1 B. Sial zoology.uos@gmail.com 100319475328460057307 100319475328460057307 No Department of Biotechnology, University of Sargodha S. Naveed aznahs.1998@gmail.com 100319475328460057308 100319475328460057308 No Department of Biotechnology, University of Sargodha A.M. Khan arif.khan@uos.edu.pk 100319475328460057309 100319475328460057309 Yes Department of Biotechnology, University of Sargodha M. Raza mohsanraxa124@gmail.com 100319475328460057310 100319475328460057310 No College of Fisheries and Life Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, China A.A. Khan azharkhan@ul.edu.pk 100319475328460057311 100319475328460057311 No Department of Entomolgy, University of Layyah S.K. Panhwar sk.panhwar@uok.edu.pk 100319475328460057312 100319475328460057312 No Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology, University of Karachi M. Ashfaq mashfaq@uoguelph.ca 100319475328460057313 100319475328460057313 No University of Guelph, Canada