Taxonomic status of the Hispaniolan Cichlidae

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/57173/1/OP737.pd

Genomic, ecological, and morphological approaches to investigating species limits: A case study in modern taxonomy from Tropical Eastern Pacific surgeonfishes

A wide variety of species are distinguished by slight color variations. However, molecular analyses have repeatedly demonstrated that coloration does not always correspond to distinct evolutionary histories between closely related groups, suggesting that this trait is labile and can be misleading for species identification. In the present study, we analyze the evolutionary history of sister species of Prionurus surgeonfishes in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP), which are distinguished by the presence or absence of dark spots on their body. We examined the species limits in this system using comparative specimen-based approaches, a mitochondrial gene (COI), more than 800 nuclear loci (Ultraconserved Elements), and abiotic niche comparisons. The results indicate there is a complete overlap of meristic counts and morphometric measurements between the two species. Further, we detected multiple individuals with intermediate spotting patterns suggesting that coloration is not diagnostic. Mitochondrial data recovered a single main haplotype shared between the species and all locations resulting in a complete lack of structure (phi(ST) = 0). Genomic analyses also suggest low levels of genetic differentiation (F-ST = 0.013), and no alternatively fixed SNPs were detected between the two phenotypes. Furthermore, niche comparisons could not reject niche equivalency or similarity between the species. These results suggest that these two phenotypes are conspecific and widely distributed in the TEP. Here, we recognize Prionurus punctatus Gill 1862 as a junior subjective synonym of P. laticlavius (Valenciennes 1846). The underlying causes of phenotypic variation in this species are unknown. However, this system gives insight into general evolutionary dynamics within the TEP

Tripodfish (Aulopiformes: Bathypterois) locomotion and landing behaviour from video observation at bathypelagic depths in the Campos Basin of Brazil

A video observation of a deep-sea tripodfish (Aulopiformes: Bathypterois) taken from a remotely-operated vehicle at a depth of 1443 m in the Campos Basin, Brazil is analysed for swimming and landing movements. The observed specimen is identified here as Bathypteroisgrallator, and this record is the first video observation of a tripodfish exhibiting periodic swimming followed by landing in a resting position on deep-sea substrate which we interpret as ‘bathypteroiform’ movement, a locomotive mode unique to taxa within Bathypterois. This observation describes the functional role of the fins associated with landing, including independent movements of the elongated fin ray elements. The specimen is observed to display subcarangiform body and/or caudal fin movement while swimming in a periodic state. Prior to landing, the specimen is observed to raise its elongated caudal fin element parallel to the body, a behaviour that has not been described previously. Following contact of the elongated pelvic fin elements with the deep-sea floor, the elongated caudal fin element is independently lowered, completing the tripod stance typically observed. © 2011 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

A new species of ponyfish (Teleostei: Leiognathidae: Photoplagios) from the Philippines

A new species of ponyfish in the genus Photoplagios is described from material collected in the Philippines. Photoplagios laterofenestra, new species, is distinguished from congeners by the presence in males of an expansive translucent flank patch in the shape of a cornucopia. Additionally, both sexes of the new species can be distinguished from congeners by body shape, pigmentation pattern on the upper flank, and length of the second dorsal-fin spine. © 2007 by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists