Evolutionary history of the endangered fish Zoogoneticus quitzeoensis (Bean, 1898) (Cyprinodontiformes: Goodeidae) using a sequential approach to phylogeography based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA data

Abstract

BackgroundTectonic, volcanic and climatic events that produce changes in hydrographic systems are the main causes of diversification and speciation of freshwater fishes. Elucidate the evolutionary history of freshwater fishes permits to infer theories on the biotic and geological evolution of a region, which can further be applied to understand processes of population divergence, speciation and for conservation purposes. The freshwater ecosystems in Central Mexico are characterized by their genesis dynamism, destruction, and compartmentalization induced by intense geologic activity and climatic changes since the early Miocene. The endangered goodeid Zoogoneticus quitzeoensis is widely distributed across Central México, thus making it a good model for phylogeographic analyses in this area.ResultsWe addressed the phylogeography, evolutionary history and genetic structure of populations of Z. quitzeoensis through a sequential approach, based on both microsatellite and mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences. Most haplotypes were private to particular locations. All the populations analysed showed a remarkable number of haplotypes. The level of gene diversity within populations was H¯d = 0.987 (0.714 – 1.00). However, in general the nucleotide diversity was low, π = 0.0173 (0.0015 – 0.0049). Significant genetic structure was found among populations at the mitochondrial and nuclear level (ΦST = 0.836 and FST = 0.262, respectively). We distinguished two well-defined mitochondrial lineages that were separated ca. 3.3 million years ago (Mya). The time since expansion was ca. 1.5 × 106 years ago for Lineage I and ca. 860,000 years ago for Lineage II. Also, genetic patterns of differentiation, between and within lineages, are described at different historical timescales.ConclusionOur mtDNA data indicates that the evolution of the different genetic groups is more related to ancient geological and climatic events (Middle Pliocene, ca. 3.3 Mya) than to the current hydrographic configuration of the basins. In general, mitochondrial and nuclear data supported the same relationships between populations, with the exception of some reduced populations in highly polluted basins (Lower Lerma River), where the effects of genetic drift are suggested by the different analyses at the nuclear and mitochondrial level. Further, our findings are of special interest for the conservation of this endangered species.

Transcriptome analysis reveals positive selection on the divergent between topmouth culter and zebrafish

“…As to tectonic movements and climatic changes, the divergence of genera Culter and Danio occurred in the early life history of Cyprinidae based on the phylogenetic analysis (Bermingham and Avise, 1986;Dominguez-Dominguez et al, 2008;He et al, 2008). Although traditionally recognized subfamily groupings of Cyprinidae were identified by monophyletic analysis (Chen et al, 1984), the phylogenetic analysis based on S7 ribosomal protein-coding gene helps us in understanding the divergence events between the genera Culter and Danio clearly (He et al, 2008).…”

Evolutionary history of Nile perch Lates sp. inferred from mitochondrial DNA variation analyses

“…For conservation efforts, the evolutionary history of the Nile perch will assist in deciphering historical congruencies responsible for the genetic subdivision throughout its extant range, in both endemic and introduced environs. The evolutionary history can also be used to test congruence between distributional histories and paleo-environmental changes that may have led to biological evolutionary diversification (van Tuinen et al 2004;Dominguez-Dominguez et al 2008) and address broader ecological and evolutionary processes like changes in populations, demographics, and genetics over time (Ramakrishnan and Hadly 2009). In addition, it can also describe how fish populations expanded or contracted in environments they occupy and provide possible successful establishment mechanisms in environs into which they were introduced (Tzeng et al 2006).…”

Phylogeography and Population Structure of the Imperiled Redtail Splitfin (Goodeidae:Xenotoca eiseni): Implications for Conservation

“…The fact that clade II is not nested within clade I indicates the possibility of gene flow along the coastal regions (clade I) subsequent to the isolation of the Magdalena region. Similar patterns of apparent gene flow among coastal drainages subsequent to isolation of endorheic drainages can be seen in other members of the subfamily Goodeinae, such as Xenotoca variata and Zoogoneticus quitzeoensis that are divided into multiple clades and show relatively high levels of intraspecific variation (Doadrio and Domínguez, 2004;Domínguez-Domínguez et al, 2008a, 2008b.…”