Identification of Oxyconger leptognathus (Muraenesocidae) leptocephali from Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
This project focuses on the morphological and genetic identification of Oxyconger leptognathus leptocephali stranded along the coast of Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Specimens were collected on March 30, 2025. DNA was extracted and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (CO1) gene was sequenced using a next-generation sequencing platform. The study aims to confirm species identity and contribute to knowledge on the occurrence of O. leptognathus in Japanese coastal waters.