Mitochondrial DNA phylogeography reveals the existence of an Evolutionarily Significant Unit of the sand goby Pomatoschistus minutus in the Adriatic (Eastern Mediterranean)

Genetic architecture of the marbled goby Pomatoschistus marmoratus (Perciformes, Gobiidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

“…This, therefore, permits a progressive genetic differentiation within several species and exerts a strong influence on the mechanisms that counteract gene flow and promote structuring in the Mediterranean ecosystem (Bahri-Sfar et al, 2000;Perez-Losada et al, 2007). The split into W-MED and E-MED P. marmoratus clades matches rather well that observed in the sand goby P. minutus (Stefanni & Thorley 2003) and in the tortonese goby P. tortonesei (Mejri et al, 2009). Genetic analyses of these two gobiine species have revealed a population subdivision which has clearly demonstrated the action of the STS as breakpoint to gene flow within the Gobidae family.…”

“…As the W-MED vs E-MED split has revealed a concordance with previous data, similarly, various studies have highlighted a genetic population structure in the eastern Mediterranean, with observed genetic breaks mainly in accordance with the regional sub-basins. Indeed, a few studies have maintained that the Libyan-Tunisian Gulf comprises a sub-basin within the E-MED (Bahri-Sfar et al, 2000), while others have demonstrated the isolation of the Adriatic populations (Guarniero et al, 2002;Arculeo et al, 2003;Stefanni and Thorley, 2003;Kristoffersen and Magoulas, 2008;Maggio et al, 2009). Still, further studies have demonstrated the presence of restricted gene flow from and towards the Aegean sub-basin (Magoulas et al, 1996;Bahri-Sfar et al, 2000;Nikula and Väinölä, 2003;Costagliola et al, 2004;Domingues et al, 2005;Pérez-Losada et al, 2007).…”

“…The impact of ice ages on the structuring of genetic populations has been so strong as to occasionally facilitate the identification of various cryptic and profoundly differentiated lineages (Stefanni and Thorley, 2003;Gysels et al, 2004;Patarnello et al, 2007;Pérez-Losada et al, 2007;Sirna-Terranova et al, 2006;Calvo et al, 2009). Excluding past geomorphological processes, the delineation of distinct intra-specific lineages in Mediterranean species has been explained as the result of the present-day physical barriers to gene flow (e.g.…”

“…Pomatoschistus minutus, Stefanni and Thorley, 2003;Gysels et al, 2004). It seems that the intra-specific diversification of gobies has produced remarkable data in terms of ecological and genetic features, thus enhancing the attractiveness of this taxon to phylogeographers (Stefanni and Thorley, 2003;Gysels et al, 2004;Huyse et al, 2004;Verdiell-Cubedo et al, 2007;Berrebi et al, 2009;Giovannotti et al, 2009;Mejri et al, 2009).…”

Genetic variation and phylogeography of the swordtail fish Xiphophorus cortezi (Cyprinodontiformes, Poeciliidae)

“…The results of this study indicate a low degree of genetic variation in the mtDNA control region of X. cortezi compared to other teleostean fishes (i.e., Fajen and Breden, 1992;Lee et al, 1995;Salzburger et al, 2003;Stefanni and Thorley, 2003;Aboim et al, 2005). Out of 881 aligned positions 16 (1.8%) were variable (the numbers are the same if the X. malinche sample is included) and out of 65 sequences nine (13.8%) distinct haplotypes were found (10 if the X. malinche sample is included).…”