Phylogenetic relationships of Simpsonichthys subgenera (Cyprinodontiformes, Rivulidae), including a proposal for a new genus

Author(s)

Ponzetto, Josi M. ^{[1, 2]} ; Britzke, Ricardo ^{[3, 4]} ; Nielsen, Dalton T. B. ^[5] ; Parise-Maltempi, Patricia P. ^[1] ; Alves, Anderson L. ^{[1, 6]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Biol, Ave 24A, 1515 Bela Vista, BR-13506900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Genet & Evolut, Rodovia Washington Luis, Km 235, SP 310, BR-13565905 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Morphol, Inst Biociencias, Distrito Rubiao Jr S-N, BR-18618970 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Tecn Machala, Fac Ciencias Agr, Lab Acuacultura, Km 4-1-2 Via Machala Pasaje, E583 Machala, El Oro - Ecuador

^[5] Univ Taubate, Dept Biol, Praca Marcelino Monteiro 63, BR-12030010 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[6] Embrapa Pesca & Aquicultura, Quadra 104 Sul, Ave 1, 34 Conjunto 4, BR-77020020 Palmas, Tocantins - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ZOOLOGICA SCRIPTA; v. 45, n. 4, p. 394-406, JUL 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

The systematic knowledge of Simpsonichthys has changed substantially in recent years, with five subgenera having been elevated to the genus category. In view of these taxonomic changes, the aim of the present study was to identify the phylogenetic relationships among this group in order to test a hypothesis of the division of Simpsonichthys. The ATPase 8 and 6 gene sequences of 53 specimens of Simpsonichthys, Xenurolebias, Ophthalmolebias, Spectrolebias and Hypsolebias genera were assessed. The final topology divided the Simpsonichthys subgenera into five clades: clade I (Hypsolebias antenori group and Ophtalmolebias), clade II (Simpsonichtys and Spectrolebias), clade III (Hypsolebias flammeus and H. magnificus groups), clade IV (H. notatus group) and clade V, which included the Xenurolebias genus as a sister group to all the other Simpsonichthys subgenera. Simpsonichthys, Spectrolebias and Hypsolebias could therefor not be described as monophyletic groups, as has been proposed in some hypotheses. The H. antenori, H. notatus and H. magnificus groups, however, were monophyletic. The molecular results also suggested that H. ocellatus belongs to the Hypsolebias flammeus group. The phylogenetic position of H. fasciatus suggested a new group within Hypsolebias, or possibly even a new genus. The characteristics of the Hypsolebias antenori group and their phylogenetic position suggested that only the species of this group should be included in the Hypsolebias genus. The basal position of the Hypsolebias notatus group and its morphological character may represent a new genus. Although the monophyletism of Simpsonichtys could not be recovered, the branches supported the division of the western and eastern clades, possibly due to allopatric speciation. These facts suggest the division of the genus into at least two major clades. In addition, the study of morphological and molecular data is suggested to obtain a better understanding of such complex organisms, and a major taxonomic review is required. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/00269-4 - Phylogenetic relationships of the genus Apistogramma (Perciformes, Cichlidae) and phylogeography of the species Apistogramma agassizi
• Grantee: Ricardo Britzke
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 10/03145-1 - Phylogenetic relationship, molecular phylogeography and conservation of annual fishes species of the genera Simpsonichthys (Cyprinodontifomres: Rivulidae)
• Grantee: Josi Margarete Ponzetto Do Nascimento
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master