The molecular systematics of the Carasobarbus species from Iran and adjacent areas, with comments on Carasobarbus albus (Heckel, 1843)

Abstract

The diversity of cytochrome b sequences of Carasobarbus species from Iran and adjacent areas was investigated. Two divergent haplotype groups were found for C. luteus. The first one is widespread and congruent with the biogeographical hypothesis of a recent isolation among the various populations as a consequence of rising sea levels following the last Pleistocene glaciation. The second one is restricted to the Khabur River in Syria. The possibility that one of these groups corresponds to C. albus is discussed, but we conclude that it is more likely that C. luteus is a single species that retained two divergent mitochondrial lineages. The mitochondrial sequence diversity found for C. kosswigi and C. sublimus is high, possibly due to small population size and consequent genetic drift. Carasobarbus kosswigi is paraphyletic with respect to C. sublimus, indicating a recent speciation event of these taxa.

Taxonomic revision of the genus Carasobarbus Karaman, 1971 (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae)

“…The spatulate lower jaw is synapomorph, because no congener and no other closely related species shares this character. The close phylogenetic relationship between Carasobarbus kosswigi and Carasobarbus sublimus is confirmed by genetic analysis (Borkenhagen et al 2011). These two species correspond to Kosswigobarbus .…”

“…Doadrio (1994) and Tsigenopoulos et al (2010) used Labeobarbus . Subsequent authors used the genus Barbus (Azeroual et al 2000, Machordom and Doadrio 2001, Leggatt and Iwama 2003, Colli et al 2009) or the provisional genus ‘ Barbus ’ (Borkenhagen et al 2011). We transfer this species to the genus Carasobarbus , based on the possession of a smooth last unbranched dorsal-fin ray, modally nine branched dorsal-fin rays, six branched rays in the anal fin and shield-shaped scales with numerous parallel radii.…”

“…He incorrectly synonymised Barbus rothschildi , Barbus riggenbachi and Barbus paytonii with this subspecies and placed it in his newly erected genus Pseudotor . Subsequent authors did not accept Karaman’s proposal and continued using Barbus (Fowler 1976, El Gharbi et al 1993, Azeroual et al 2000, Leggatt and Iwama 2003, Colli et al 2009, Borkenhagen et al 2011) or proposed using Labeobarbus (Doadrio 1994, Tsigenopoulos et al 2010). We transfer this species to the genus Carasobarbus , based on the possession of a smooth last unbranched dorsal-fin ray, nine branched dorsal-fin rays, six branched rays in the anal fin and shield-shaped scales with numerous parallel radii.…”

“…Kosswigobarbus was revalidated (Ekmekçi and Banarescu 1998) and sometimes used as a subgenus of Barbus (Tsigenopoulos et al 2010). Later the species was placed in Carasobarbus (Borkenhagen et al 2011). …”

“…Carasobarbus kosswigi is paraphyletic with respect to Carasobarbus sublimus (Borkenhagen et al 2011). …”