Dos nuevas especies de truchas atlánticas (Actinopterygii, Salmonidae) de Marruecos

[EN] Four trout species of the genus Salmo Linnaeus, 1758 have been traditionally recognized in Morocco: S. macrostigma Duméril, 1858; S. pallaryi Pellegrin, 1924; S. pellegrini Werner, 1931 and S. akairos Delling & Doadrio, 2005. Two of these species are mainly distributed in Mediterranean (S. macrostigma) and Atlantic (S. pellegrini) river basins while the other two species are restricted to isolated lakes in the Atlas Mountains, one of them to Ifni Lake (S. akairos) and the other, probably extinct, to Sidi Ali Lake (S. pallaryi). Preliminary phylogenetic and regional studies based on molecular data have found high structuration of the populations of this genus in Morocco. These studies focused on allozymes, microsatellites and mitochondrial markers found genetic differences in populations from Isli Lake (Atlas Mountains) and the Draa Basin in southern Morocco. In this work we provide different morphological and genetic traits to distinguish these populations from Isli Lake and Draa Basin as two different species.[ES] Cuatro especies del género Salmo Linnaeus, 1758 se han reconocido tradicionalmente en Marruecos: S. macrostigma Duméril, 1858; S. pallaryi Pellegrin, 1924; S. pellegrini Werner, 1931 y S. akairos Delling y Doadrio, 2005. Dos de estas especies se distribuyen por las cuencas mediterráneas (S. macrostigma) y atlánticas (S. pellegrini), mientras que las otras dos están restringidas a lagos aislados en las montañas del Atlas, una de ellas al Lago Ifni (S. akairos) y la otra, probablemente extinta, al Lago de Sidi Alí (S. pallaryi). Estudios filogenéticos preliminares y estudios regionales basados en alozimas, microsatélites y marcadores mitocondriales hallaron una alta estructuración de las poblaciones de este género en Marruecos, con diferencias genéticas significativas en las poblaciones del lago de Isli (Montañas del Atlas) y de la cuenca del Draa en el sur de Marruecos. En el presente trabajo nosotros proveemos evidencia morfológica y genética para distinguir estas poblaciones del lago de Isli y de la cuenca del Draa como dos especies diferentes.Peer Reviewe

Effects of Pleistocene marine transgressions on the evolutionary history of the genus Squalius (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae) in Southern Iberia

Póster presentado en: V Jornadas Ibéricas de Ictiología (SIBIC), At Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência ( Lisboa, Portugal), 2014[EN] To study the effects that these geological and climatic events could have had above populations of freshwater fishes inhabiting Southern Spain during Cenozoic period in Gibraltar Strait region, we carried out a phylogeographical and demographic approach of two species of primary freshwater fishes (Squalius malacitanus and Squalius pyrenaicus) using nuclear and mitochondrial genes as molecular markers. In the phylogenetic study our results showed four well-differenced groups, divided into two main phylogroups, belonging to each studied species and reflecting an allopatric distribution. The two groups found in the species Squalius malacitanus have higher divergences than S. pyrenaicus . Therefore, we conducted a molecular and morphometric study of Atlantic and Mediterranean populations to characterize the two populations from a taxonomic point of view. In both species, Mediterranean populations showed a lower genetic diversity than Atlantic populations and we observed a correlation between area basin and genetic diversity. Moreover, we carried out a study of endemic and endangered species S. malacitanus.[ES] Primary freshwater fishes, whose dispersion is limited mainly to inside river basins, are commonly used with biogeographical purposes. The Gibraltar Strait area is one of the most complex biogeographical regions during the Cenozoic due to tectonical and climatic processes, which must severely affect to populations of organisms inhabiting this area. To study the effects that these geological and climatic events could have had above populations of freshwater fishes inhabiting Southern Spain, we realized a phylogeographical and demographic approach of two species: Squalius malacitanus and Squalius pyrenaicus, using cytochrome b (mtDNA) and RAG-1 (nDNA) as molecular markers. Both S. malacitanus and S. pyrenaicus are primary fish belonging to Cyprinidae family and endemic from the Iberian Peninsula. The species S malacitanus has a more restricted distribution area, is only present in southern Spain, and has been listed as endangered in (lo saqué de Kottelat). We carried out a study of S. malacitanus habitat availability to predict its future distribution and the most important variables to improve its conservation status. Our results showed four well-differenced groups in the phylogenetic study, grouped into two main phylogroups, belonging to each studied species and reflecting an allopatric distribution. The two groups found in the species Squalius malacitanus have higher divergences than S. pyrenaicus and are distributed one by the Atlantic slope of Gibraltar Strait and the other by the Mediterranean ones. In both species, Mediterranean populations showed a lower genetic diversity than Atlantic populations and we observed a correlation between area basin and genetic diversity. Moreover, we conducted a molecular and morphometric study of Atlantic and Mediterranean populations to characterize the two populations since a taxonomic point of view.This study was funded by project CGL2010-15231BOSPeer reviewe

A cryptic species of freshwater fishes in Southern Spain is found by way of molecular analysis of the genus Squalius Bonaparte, 1837 (Acanthopterygii, Cyprinidae)

Poster presentado en: 16th Conference Young Systematists’ Forum, At Natural History Museum, London, UK, (2014)The taxonomy of the Spanish freshwater fishes was mainly precluded for the monumental work of Lozano Rey (1935). This work considered the same origin to the Iberian and the rest of European fish fauna. Differences in morphology many times were assigned to small local variations and Spanish populations were attributed taxonomically to subspecies of well recognized central and north European species. This vision of Spanish freshwater fishes has changed because of molecular systematics, which found a high diversity and different origins to this fish fauna. The number of species was increasing since 1980 and an endemic cyprinid, Squalius malacitanus (Doadrio and Carmona, 2006), was currently described. As consequence of a phylogeographical approach to all populations of Squalius malacitanus using nuclear and mitochondrial molecular markers, we found two deep divergent groups. These two groups have higher divergences than other Spanish species of same genus.This study was funded by project CGL2010-15231BOS.Peer reviewe

Current occurrence of the Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus in northern Spain: A new prospect for sturgeon conservation in western Europe

Acipenser oxyrinchus is considered extirpated in Europe, but numerous breeding populations still exist on the Atlantic coast of North America. An adult female A. oxyrinchus, 2500 mm total length and 120 kg wet weight, was accidentally fished on 24 November 2010 near the coast of Gijón, Asturias, Spain. The fish was identified by its morphological pattern as well as by mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analyses. Because the sturgeon was found far away from any known breeding area, it was considered a stray or vagrant specimen. It certainly has a natural origin, but its eventual birthplace could not be determined. Because its current occurrence was unknown in southwestern Europe until now, the species is not cataloged or protected in this area. Therefore, the residual European stocks of A. oxyrinchus ought to be listed as Critically Endangered (CR) according to the IUCN categories. Likewise, it is imperative for southwestern European countries with an historic or recent occurrence of A. oxyrinchus to protect the species through domestic and international legislation. The present sympatric occurrence of A. sturio and A. oxyrinchus raises new challenges about key questions, such as the species selection for restoration program in European countries. Accurate monitoring is mandatory to obtain appropriate information for an assessment of the current occurrence of A. oxyrinchus in southwestern Europe.Peer reviewe

Pardilla oretana – Iberochondrostoma oretanum (Doadrio y Carmona, 2003)

Peces - Orden Cypriniformes - Familia Cyprinidae en la Enciclopedia Virtual de Vertebrados Españoles, http://www.vertebradosibericos.org/. Versiones anteriores: 17-12-2009A comprehensive review of the natural history of the oretanian pardilla Iberochondrostoma oretanum in Spain.Peer reviewe

Taxonomía de las especies reófilas del género Luciobarbus Heckel, 1842 (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae) de Marruecos con la descripción de dos nuevas especies

[EN] The genus Luciobarbus Heckel, 1843 is characterized by medium to large fish species occurring in large rivers and downstream zones with slow-moving waters. Remarkably also rheophilic Luciobarbus occur in Morocco, which are of small size and exhibit distinct morphological traits as well as different habitat requirements. These rheophilic species have traditionally been assigned to Luciobarbus nasus (Günther, 1874) and L. magniatlantis (Pellegrin, 1919), although some authors consider L. magniatlantis as a junior synonym of L. nasus. This lack of consensus on the taxonomy of rheophilic barbs is constrained by limited population studies that do not encompass their entire distribution range. Using molecular, morphometric, and osteological data we studied populations of rheophilic barbs of three drainage basins in which they are currently present: Tensift, Moulouya and Oum er Rbia. Our results clearly identified the rheophilic barbs of each basin as different species. The species Luciobarbus magniatlantis is a well-recognized species endemic to Tensift Basin. In contrast, the investigated populations from the Moulouya and Oum er Rbia basins could not be assigned to any previously described species. Consequently, we describe two new Luciobarbus species in the Moulouya and Oum er Rbia basins.[ES] El género Luciobarbus Heckel, 1843 se caracteriza por presentar especies de medio y gran tamaño que viven en las zonas bajas de grandes ríos con aguas lentas. Singularmente, en Marruecos también existen especies reófilas del género Luciobarbus de pequeño tamaño y que presentan diferentes caracteres morfológicos y distintos requerimientos de hábitat. Estas especies reófilas han sido tradicionalmente asignadas a Luciobarbus nasus (Günther, 1874) y L. magniatlantis (Pellegrin, 1919) aunque algunos autores consideran a L. magniatlantis como un sinónimo de L. nasus. Esta falta de consenso en la taxonomía de los barbos reófilos está limitada por los escasos estudios poblacionales realizados que no abarcan la totalidad del área de distribución de estos barbos. Nosotros, usando datos moleculares, morfométricos y osteológicos, estudiamos las poblaciones de los barbos reófilos de tres cuencas hidrográficas, en las cuales están actualmente presentes: Tensift, Moulouya y Oum er Rbia. Nuestros resultados claramente identifican a los barbos reófilos de cada una de estas cuencas como diferentes especies. La especie L. magniatlantis es una especie bien definida y endémica de la cuenca del Tensift. En contraste, las poblaciones analizadas de las cuencas del Moulouya y Oum er Rbia no pudieron ser asignadas a ninguna especie previamente descrita. Consecuentemente, nosotros describimos dos nuevas especies de Luciobarbus en las cuencas del Moulouya y del Oum er Rbia.Peer Reviewe

A new species of the genus Capoeta Valenciennes, 1842 from the Caspian Sea basin in Iran (Teleostei, Cyprinidae)

A new species of algae-scraping cyprinid of the genus Capoeta Valenciennes, 1842 is described from the Kheyroud River, located in the southern part of the Caspian Sea basin in Iran. The species differs from other members of this genus by a combination of the following characters: one pair of barbels; predorsal length equal to postdorsal length; maxillary barbel slightly smaller than eye¿s horizontal diameter and reach to posterior margin of orbit; intranasal length slightly shorter than snout length; lateral line with 46¿54 scales; 7¿9 scales between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line, and 6¿7 scales between anal-fin origin and lateral line.This research was funded by Tehran University and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (project number CGL2016-75262-P).Peer Reviewe

Molecular evidence for multiple origins of the European Spined Loaches (Teleostei, Cobitidae)

We present a phylogenetic investigation of the Northern Clade, the major monophyletic clade within the freshwater fish family Cobitidae, one of the most prominent families of freshwater fishes found in Asian and European waters. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on the cytochrome b and RAG-1 genes show the genera Microcobitis, Sabanejewia, Koreocobitis and Kichulchoia as monophyletic groups. These reconstructions also show a Cobitis sensu lato and a Misgurnus sensu lato group. The Cobitis sensu lato group includes all species of Cobitis, Iksookimia, Niwaella and Kichulchoia, while the Misgurnus sensu lato group includes Misgurnus, Paramisgurnus and Koreocobitis. Although the monophyly of both the Cobitis sensu lato and Misgurnus sensu lato groups is supported, relationships within the groups are incongruent with current generic definitions. The absence of monophyly of most genera included in the Cobitis sensu lato group (Cobitis, Iksookimia and Niwaella) or their low genetic differentiation (Kichuchoia) supports their consideration as synonyms of Cobitis. Molecular phylogenies indicate that the Asian species of Misgurnus experienced a mitochondrial introgression from a lineage of Cobitis.We also find two nuclear haplotypes in the same Cobitis species from the Adriatic area that, in the absence of morphological differentiation, may indicate molecular introgression. Most lineages within the Northern Clade consist of species found in East Asia. However, some lineages also contain species from Europe and Asia Minor. The phylogenetic relationships presented here are consistent with previous studies suggesting an East Asian origin of the Northern Clade. According to the current distributions and phylogenetic relationships of the Misgurnus sensu lato and Cobitis clade lineages, particularly of M. fossilis and C. melanoleuca, the range expansion of East Asian species into Europe was most likely via Siberia into Northern and Central Europe. Phylogenetic analyses also show that the Cobitis sensu lato group consists of two clear subgroups (I and II), each presenting geographical differences. Subgroup I is distributed exclusively in East Asian drainages with an Eastern European offshoot (C. melanoleuca), whereas Subgroup II includes species widespread throughout Europe (including the Mediterranean), Asia Minor, the Black Sea and the Caucasus, with some lineages related to species restricted to East Asia.This project was partially supported by Projects Ref. CGL2007-61010 Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Spain) and CTM2014-57949-R Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Spain) to A. PerdicesPeer reviewe

Revisión taxonómica del género Luciobarbus Heckel, 1843 (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae) del noroeste de Marruecos con la descripción de tres nuevas especies

[EN] The genus Luciobarbus in Morocco presents high diversification, in contrast to the generally impoverished freshwater fish fauna from North Africa. Within Morocco the northern area is one of the least studied territories, due to both its historical background and the limited accessibility of many regions. Previous phylogenetic studies identified Luciobarbus populations that are morphologically and genetically differentiated, to the same extent as others already recognized as separate species. The aim of this work is to describe these populations as distinct species, based on morphological, meristic, and genetic traits.[ES] En Marruecos el género Luciobarbus está altamente diversificado, en comparación con la empobrecida fauna de peces de agua dulce del norte de África. Dentro de Marruecos la región norte es una de las áreas menos estudiadas, por motivos históricos y también por la poca accesibilidad en algunas de sus regiones. Los estudios filogenéticos previos para esta área han señalado la existencia de poblaciones pertenecientes al género Luciobarbus tan diferenciadas morfológica y genéticamente como otras que ya habían sido reconocidas como diferentes especies. En este trabajo describimos estas poblaciones como diferentes taxa, en base a caracteres morfológicos, merísticos y genéticos.Peer Reviewe

Current occurrence of the Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus in Northern Spain: a new prospect for Sturgeon conservation in Western Europe

Acipenser oxyrinchus is considered extirpated in Europe, but numerous breeding populations still exist on the Atlantic coast of North America. An adult female A. oxyrinchus, 2500 mm total length and 120 kg wet weight, was accidentally fished on 24 November 2010 near the coast of Gijón, Asturias, Spain. The fish was identified by its morphological pattern as well as by mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analyses. Because the sturgeon was found far away from any known breeding area, it was considered a stray or vagrant specimen. It certainly has a natural origin, but its eventual birthplace could not be determined. Because its current occurrence was unknown in southwestern Europe until now, the species is not cataloged or protected in this area. Therefore, the residual European stocks of A. oxyrinchus ought to be listed as Critically Endangered (CR) according to the IUCN categories. Likewise, it is imperative for southwestern European countries with an historic or recent occurrence of A. oxyrinchus to protect the species through domestic and international legislation. The present sympatric occurrence of A. sturio and A. oxyrinchus raises new challenges about key questions, such as the species selection for restoration program in European countries. Accurate monitoring is mandatory to obtain appropriate information for an assessment of the current occurrence of A. oxyrinchus in southwestern Europe