The importance of voucher specimens: misidentification or previously unknown mtDNA diversity in Phalacrocorax capillatus (Aves: Phalacrocoracidae)?

A recently published complete mitochondrial genome of Japanese or Temminck's cormorant ( Phalacrocorax capillatus ) was the first of this species (GenBank accession number LC714913). Comparison of COI sequences shows that this mitogenome clustered with great cormorant ( Phalacrocorax carbo ) rather than with its sister taxon P. capillatus . This suggests that the mitogenome was either a misidentified P. carbo or represents previously unknown intraspecific diversity in P. capillatus overlapping with that of P. carbo . Unfortunately, no voucher specimen was retained so it remains impossible to distinguish between these alternatives. We suggest that great restraint should be exercised using this mitogenome as a reference for P. capillatus . We reiterate previous pleas to retain voucher specimens for mitogenome sequences to enable re-analysis of the identity of the material.