Molecular phylogeny of the western South Atlantic Sciaenidae based on mitochondrial and nuclear data

Abstract

Fragments of mitochondrial (COI and rRNA 16S) and nuclear (Tmo-4C4) genes were sequenced to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships among 15 genera of the western South Atlantic Sciaenidae, two freshwater genera and the northwest Pacific Larimichthys crocea. Our results suggest a great diversification for the western Atlantic assemblage; the monophyly of Macrodon, Menticirrhus and Plagioscion genera; the distinctiveness of Bardiella, Stellifer and Ophioscion as belonging to the same clade; the possible existence of two distinct groups in Stellifer; the closer relationship between Lonchurus and Paralonchurus; the non-monophyly of Cynoscion; and the remarkable diversification of Larimus breviceps populations in the Brazilian coast. This is the most comprehensive study evaluating the phylogenetic relationships of the western Atlantic sciaenid and provides a guide for future studies within this family.

A multi-gene dataset reveals a tropical New World origin and Early Miocene diversification of croakers (Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

“…2). This study and previous 358 molecular studies (Vinson et al, 2004;Vergara-Chen et al, 2009;Santos et al, 2013) 359 reject the hypothesis of the monophyly of Cynoscion based on morphology (Chao, 360 1978;Sasaki, 1989). 361…”

“…2). The 428 18 18 present study confirms the monophyly of the genus Menticirrhus (with two species 429 sampled)(Chao, 1978;Vinson et al, 2004;Santos et al, 2013) with strong support. 430Lineage 11 is the largest lineage (22 genera included) and it can be subdivided 431 into four clades (A-D) although the relationships among these clades are not resolved 432(Fig.…”

Molecular Phylogeny of Weakfish Species of the Stellifer Group (Sciaenidae, Perciformes) of the Western South Atlantic Based on Mitochondrial and Nuclear Data

“…In a recent study based on both mitochondrial (COI and 16S rRNA) and nuclear markers (TMO-4C4), Santos et al [17] concluded that Stellifer is a sister group of Ophioscion and that Bairdiella is the basal taxon within the group, confirming the proposal of Sasaki [1]. However, as in Vinson et al [16], the relationships between all of the taxa of the Stellifer group could not be defined because Odontoscion was not included in the analyses.…”

“…Despite this, few studies have focused on the bio-ecological or phylogenetic characteristics of this group. Regarding the phylogenetic relationships, all the available studies [1], [5], [16], [17] have emphasized the close relationships among Bairdiella, Stellifer, Ophioscion , and Odontoscion , although intergeneric and interspecific relationships have yet to be defined conclusively due to the limitations or inconsistencies found in the data, as described below.…”

“…However, as in Vinson et al [16], the relationships between all of the taxa of the Stellifer group could not be defined because Odontoscion was not included in the analyses. Additionally, the relationships among the Stellifer species remain unclear, given that, in Vinson et al [16], S. microps is a sister group to S. naso and S. rastrifer is closely related to S. stellifer , whereas in Santos et al [17], S. rastrifer is a sister group to Stellifer sp., and S. stellifer is more closely related to O. punctatissimus .…”