Potential Cryptic Diversity in the Genus (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae): Insights from Mitochondrial Genome Sequencing.

is a genus of small placental sharks living in offshore waters. For a long time, the genus was considered a monotypic genus until a valid species, , was confirmed in 2010. However, in the same study was not widely recognized because of the lack of evidence. In this study, we obtained the complete mitochondrial genome of the genus from Ranong, Thailand, and tentatively named it sp. By comparing the complete mitochondrial genome with those of two other species and conducting phylogenetic and divergence time analyses, we determined that sp. diverged from the other species. These findings indicate the potential for a new cryptic species ( sp.) in the genus. This conclusion was further supported by a subsequent analysis of the published control region sequences from previous studies. Finally, based on these conclusions, we used machine learning to derive a new identification method for the cryptic species. This approach may be useful for the discovery of new species or cryptic species in other organisms.