Riverscape properties contribute to the origin and structure of a hybrid zone in a Neotropical freshwater fish

Understanding the structure of hybrid zones provides valuable insights about species boundaries and speciation, such as the evolution of barriers to gene flow and the strength of selection. In river networks, studying evolutionary processes in hybrid zones can be especially challenging, given the influence of past and current river properties along with biological species- specific traits. Here, we suggest that a natural hybrid zone between two divergent lineages of the sexually dimorphic Neotropical fish Nematocharax venustus was probably established by secondary contact as a result of a river capture event between the Contas and Pardo river basins. This putative river capture is supported by hydrogeological evidence of elbows of capture, wind gaps and geological faults. The morphological (colour pattern) and genetic (mtDNA and RADseq) variation reveal a clinal transition between parental lineages along the main river, with predominance of F2 hybrids at the centre of the hybrid zone, absence of early generation backcrosses and different levels of hybridization in the tributaries. We highlight that different sources of information are crucial for understanding how the riverscape spatial history influences the connectivity between and within river systems and, consequently, the dynamics of gene flow between freshwater lineages/species.River networks are spatially and temporally dynamic environments that impose challenges to the study of hybrid zones. Here, we elucidate the morphological and genetic structure of a hybrid zone generated by secondary contact between lineages of a Neotropical fish genus and discuss the possible role of past and current river properties (including river captures) in its origin and structure.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163541/3/jeb13689_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163541/2/jeb13689-sup-0001-AppendixS1.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163541/1/jeb13689.pd

Sequential Steps of Chromosomal Differentiation in Atlantic Surgeonfishes: Evolutionary Inferences

Surgeonfishes are a species-rich group and a major biomass on coral reefs. Three species are commonly found throughout South Atlantic, Acanthurus bahianus, A. chirurgus, and A. coeruleus. In this paper, we present the first cytogenetic data of these species, revealing a sequential chromosomal diversification. A. coeruleus was characterized by a relatively conserved karyotype evolved by pericentric inversions of some pairs (2n=48, 2sm + 4st + 42a). In contrast, the karyotypes of A. bahianus (2n=36) and A. chirurgus (2n=34) were highly differentiated by the presence of six large metacentric pairs in A. bahianus (12m + 2sm + 4st + 18a) and A. chirurgus (12m + 2sm + 4st +1 6a) probably derived by chromosomal fusions that corroborate their closer relationship. A discernible in tandem fusion represents an autapomorphic character to A. chirurgus. In spite of macrostructure variation, single nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) on short arms of a subtelocentric pair and similar distribution of C-bands were observed in the three species. Overlapping of chromosomal data with molecular phylogeny indicated pericentric inversions which took place nearly at 19 Ma while centric fusions are as recent as 5 Ma. A physical mapping of coding and noncoding sequences in Acanthurus could clarify the role of additional rearrangements during their chromosomal evolution

Cytogenetic analysis in Tetragonopterus franciscoensis (Characiformes): another piece to the karyoevolutionary puzzle of tetra fishes

Tetragonopterus is a taxonomically complex genus in Characidae, being currently represented by nine species according to integrative approaches. One of them, T. franciscoensis was recently validated in rivers from northeastern Brazil. Even though molecular and morphological data have been collected in Tetragonopterus, the cytogenetic analyses in this group are scarce despite of the role of chromosomal variation in speciation. Herein, we present the first detailed karyotypic study in T. franciscoensis along with a comparative analysis with published cytogenetic data in characin fish. All specimens shared 2n=52 distributed in 12 metacentric (m), 12 submetacentric (sm), and 28 subtelocentric/acrocentric (st/a) chromosomes for both sexes as well as single nucleolus organizer regions on short arms of pair 8 and several GC-rich sites. The mapping of telomeric sequences (TTAGGG)n revealed no telomeric interstitial signals. While subtle cytogenetic differences were observed between samples from northeastern basins in Brazil, corroborating a recent genetic divergence, distinct karyotypes were detected in relation to congeneric taxa from other Brazilian regions. Therefore, the origin of large biarmed pairs in species with low 2n values should be related to occurrence of centric fusions

Molecular Identification and Traceability of Illegal Trading in Lignobrycon myersi

Lignobrycon myersi is a threatened freshwater fish species and endemic of a few coastal rivers in northeastern Brazil. Even though the Brazilian laws prohibit the fisheries of threatened species, L. myersi is occasionally found in street markets, being highly appreciated by local population. In order to provide a reliable DNA barcode dataset for L. myersi, we compared mitochondrial sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) from fresh, frozen, and salt-preserved specimens. Phylogenetically related species (Triportheus spp.) and other fish species (Astyanax fasciatus) commonly mixed with L. myersi in street markets were also included to test the efficiency of molecular identification. In spite of the differences in conservation processes and advanced deterioration of some commercial samples, high-quality COI sequences were obtained and effective in discriminating L. myersi specimens. In addition, while populations from Contas and Almada River basins seem to comprise a single evolutionary lineage, the specimens from Cachoeira River were genetically differentiated, indicating population structuring. Therefore, DNA barcoding has proved to be useful to trace the illegal trading of L. myersi and to manage threatened populations, which should focus on conservation of distinct genetic stocks and mitigation on human impacts along their range

Marcadores moleculares na análise de espécies e composição populacional de peixes marinhos de recifes de corais da família Pomacanthidae (Perciformes).

The Brazilian coast extends over nearly 8,000km. Along the coastline, several marine ecosystems can be found and determine a rich ichthyofauna, regarding both diversity and number of species. The reef sites are characterized as the main reason for such abundance. As a paradox, genetic studies aiming to characterize the several species and populations from this environment are nearly absent in Brazil. Based on these statements, the major goals of the present work were to analyze the population structure and the relationship among marine fish species from a Perciform family, common at coral reefs and important for aquarium trade Pomacanthidae. The selected species were Centropyge aurantonotus, Holacanthus ciliaris, H. tricolor, Pomacanthus arcuatus and P. paru, distributed over nearly all the Brazilian shore, besides another species from the family Chaetodontidae, closely related to that focused in this work - Chaetodon striatus. For that, molecular markers obtained from analyses of genomic DNA by RAPD and microsatellites were adopted. The results based on RAPD profiles, from a set of primers, indicate that species from both families show a high genetic variability, with inter-specific and inter-populational differences. Specific marks were found in all species, useful for the establishment of phylogenetic relationships and taxonomical discrimination. The dendrogram generated allowed to distinguish each species, revealing that those from a same genus are more closely related. Albeit the values of gene flow and genetic identity were relatively high after inter-populational comparisons, indications of structuring along the Brazilian Province were detected, particularly if we consider φs t values. The most conspicuous species along the coast, composing widely distributed populations, tended to exhibit greater genetic similarities among samples. Animals from oceanic isolates were not quite differentiated from inshore populations, but showed decreased variability. The isolation and characterization of microsatellites in the species P. paru and H. ciliaris, according to PIMA (PCR isolation of microsatellite arrays) methodology, allowed us to select several microsatellite loci, useful for populational approaches. Primers flanking such regions were designed and it was verified that one locus, called Pp02 was polymorphic and it is present in Pomacanthus and Holacanthus representatives. The populational analyses of the locus Pp02 in P. paru revealed significant values of Fst and genetic differentiation, in agreement with population structure hypothesis. These data, described for the first time, are useful for the conservation management of such exploited animals and for the inferences of dispersal and populational composition of reef species from the Brazilian Province.Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisA costa brasileira apresenta cerca de 8.000 Km de extensão. Ao longo do litoral, diversos ecossistemas marinhos podem ser encontrados e determinam uma ictiofauna rica tanto em diversidade quanto quantidade de espécies. Os ambientes recifais são caracterizados como os maiores responsáveis por tal abundância. Paradoxalmente, estudos genéticos que procurem caracterizar as muitas de suas espécies e populações são praticamente ausentes no Brasil. Com base nessas premissas, esse trabalho teve como objetivos básicos analisar a estrutura populacional e a relação entre espécies de peixes marinhos em uma família de Perciformes comum nos recifes e importante para aquariofilia Pomacanthidae. As espécies selecionadas foram Centropyge aurantonotus, Holacanthus ciliaris, H. tricolor, Pomacanthus arcuatus e P. paru, com ocorrência ao longo de quase todo o litoral do Brasil, além de uma espécie adicional da família Chaetodontidae, intimamente relacionada com a enfocada nesse trabalho - Chaetodon striatus. Para tal, marcadores moleculares a partir da análise do DNA genômico por RAPD e microssatélites foram adotados. Os resultados obtidos com as análises por RAPD, a partir de um conjunto de primers, indicam que as espécies dessas famílias apresentam alta variabilidade genética, com diferenças interespecíficas e interpopulacionais. Marcas específicas foram detectadas em todas as espécies, úteis para a identificação e estabelecimento das relações filogenéticas das espécies. O dendrograma obtido permitiu distinguir cada espécie, revelando que aquelas do mesmo gênero estão intimamente relacionadas. Embora os valores de fluxo gênico e de identidade genética tenham sido relativamente altos nas comparações interpopulacionais, indícios de estruturação ao longo da Província do Brasil foram detectados, particularmente se considerarmos os valores de φs t. As espécies mais conspícuas ao longo do litoral, formando populações de distribuição mais ampla, foram as que apresentaram maior similaridade genética entre as regiões. Animais de isolados oceânicos não se mostraram tão diferenciados de populações costeiras, mas apresentaram variabilidade reduzida. A prospecção de microssatélites nas espécies P. paru e H. ciliaris, pelo método PIMA (PCR isolation of microssatelite arrays) permi tiu a seleção de alguns locos microssatélites, informativos para abordagens populacionais. Os primers das regiões flanqueadoras desses locos foram desenhados e foi verificado que um deles, denominado Pp02, é polimórfico e está presente nas espécies de Pomacanthus e Holacanthus. A análise populacional desse loco em P. paru revelou índices significativos de Fst e de diferenciação genética, condizentes com estruturação populacional. Esses dados, até então inéditos, são importantes para o manejo de conservação desses animais comercialmente explorados e permitem inferir padrões de dispersão e composição populacional das espécies recifais da Província Brasileira

Biogeography and comparative cytogenetics between two populations of Hoplias malabaricus (Bloch, 1794) (Ostariophysi: Erythrinidae) from coastal basins in the State of Bahia, Brazil

The species Hoplias malabaricus is a predator fish found in nearly all cis-Andean basins. From a cytogenetic point of view, this species comprises, at least, seven differentiated karyomorphs. Several localities have been formerly analyzed in Brazil, however, some regions, such as Bahia State, remain underrepresented. Recently, the Brazilian Environment Ministry classified both Itapicuru and Contas river basins (entirely located within Bahia territory) as priority conservation areas, whose biodiversity status lacks enough information. Therefore, the goal of the present work was to characterize, cytogenetically, populations of H. malabaricus from both basins, by using conventional staining, Ag-NOR and C-banding techniques. All specimens presented a diploid number of 2n = 40 with metacentric/submetacentric chromosomes, without differences between sexes, thereby representing the so-called "karyomorph F". The first metacentric pair presented a remarkably larger size in relation to the other pairs. The NORs were multiple, comprising the terminal region on long arms of two chromosomal pairs in both populations. However, the C-banding pattern was somewhat distinguishable between samples. Although sharing heterochromatic blocks at centromeric region of all chromosomes, the population from Itapicuru River basin appeared to have some more conspicuous blocks than those observed in the population from Contas River basin. The similar karyotype observed in both populations suggests a common geological history between them. The present results represent an advance in the knowledge about the cytogenetic pattern of H. malabaricus populations from poorly studied basins

Genetic analysis reveals candidate species in the Scinax catharinae clade (Amphibia: Anura) from Central Brazil

Abstract Scinax (Anura: Hylidae) is a species-rich genus of amphibians (113 spp.), divided into five species groups by morphological features. Cladistic analyses however revealed only two monophyletic clades in these groups: Scinax catharinae and Scinax ruber. Most species from the S. catharinae clade are found in Atlantic rainforest, except for Scinax canastrensis,S. centralis, S. luizotavioi, S. machadoi,S. pombali and S. skaios. In the present work, specimens of Scinax collected in Chapada dos Guimarães, central Brazil, were morphologically compatible with species from theS. catharinae group. On the other hand, genetic analysis based on mitochondrial (16S and 12S) and nuclear (rhodopsin) sequences revealed a nucleotide divergence of 6 to 20% between Scinax sp. and other congeners from the Brazilian savannah (Cerrado). Accordingly, Bayesian inference placed Scinax sp. in the S. catharinae clade with high support values. Hence, these findings strongly indicate the presence of a new species in the S. catharinae clade from the southwestern portion of the Brazilian savannah. To be properly validated as a novel species, detailed comparative morphological and bioacustic studies with other taxa from Brazil such asS. canastrensis, S. centralis, S. luizotavioi, S. machadoi, S. pombali and S. skaios are required