DNA barcoding, identification, and validation of the pufferfish (Order: Tetraodontiformes) in China coastal waters.

The order Tetraodontiformes are one of the most unique groups of teleostean fish, exhibiting highly derived and greatly diversified phenotypes. It is a difficult task for both professionals and nonprofessionals to accurately identify these species only according to morphological characteristics. DNA barcoding can identify species at the molecular level to overcome the limitations of morphological classification.