Phylogenetic relationships of the species of the Rineloricaria Bleeker, 1862 (Siluriformes, Loricariidae, Loricariinae)

Author(s)

Ilana Fichberg

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB)
• Defense date: 2008-12-17

Examining board members

Mario Cesar Cardoso de Pinna; Heraldo Antonio Britski; Marcelo Ribeiro de Britto; Roberto Esser dos Reis; Mónica Sonia Rodriguez

• Advisor: Mario Cesar Cardoso de Pinna

Abstract

The species of Rineloricaria are typical members of Loricariinae subfamily, family Loricariidae, traditionally characterized by the presence of odontodes covering the body, strongly depressed body and absence of adipose fin. Rineloricaria comprises 65 nominal species and it is the most speciesrich genus in the subfamily Loricariinae. Previous phylogenetic studies on Loricariidae have not agreed on the putative monophyly and phylogenetic position of Rineloricaria among other Loricariinae. The objectives of this work were to test the monophyly of the genus and to determine its position among other Loricariinae. A phylogenetic study including 36 species of Rineloricaria and 181 characters was conducted using strict parsimony. The primary data for the analysis came from skeleton and external morphology. The outgroup included a number of representatives of genera previously considered as closely related to Rineloricaria, with Neoplecostomus microps as the most distant outgroup and rooting point. The results indicate that Rinolericaria is monophyletic and sister group to all other Loricariinae. Twelve sinapomorphies support the monophyly of Rineloricaria. Unique among them is the presence of a well-developed dorso-mesial process on the fourth pharyngobranchial bone. Other non-unique synapomorphies for the genus include: a great trapezoidal preanal plate surrounded by three polygonal plates and some specific dimorphic sexual features. (AU)