Biochemical-genetic and meristic evidence that blue and copper moki (Teleostei : Latridae : Latridopsis) are discrete species

Specimens of blue moki Latridopsis ciliaris (Forster in Bloch & Schneider, 1801) from New Zealand were shown to differ from specimens of copper moki L atridopsis forsteri (Castelnau, 1872) using two genetic methods-allozymes a nd muscle proteins. Allozyme techniques revealed fixed differences between blue and copper moki at 4 out of 15 loci. There was a genetic distance of 0 .31-0.34 between population samples of the two colour morphs. The two morph s were also distinguished by iso-electric focusing of muscle proteins. Meri stic characters, counted in the specimens studied with genetic markers, rev ealed diagnostic markers in tubed lateral line scales and scales in the low er transverse series. It is concluded that specimens of blue moki from New Zealand and copper moki from New Zealand and Tasmania are valid species.