From taxonomic deflation to newly detected cryptic species: Hidden diversity in a widespread African squeaker catfish

0511143 - BC 2020 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Jirsová, Dagmar - Štefka, Jan - Blažek, Radim - Malala, J. O. - Lotuliakou, D. - Mahmoud, Z. N. - Jirků, Miloslav
From taxonomic deflation to newly detected cryptic species: Hidden diversity in a widespread African squeaker catfish.
Scientific Reports. Roč. 9, OCT 31 2019 (2019), č. článku 15748. ISSN 2045-2322. E-ISSN 2045-2322
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA18-13458S; GA ČR(CZ) GBP505/12/G112
Institutional support: RVO:60077344 ; RVO:68081766
Keywords : synodontis siluriformes * mochokidae chiloglanis * phylogeny * phylogeography * teleostei * inference * software * reveals * complex
OECD category: Zoology; Zoology (UBO-W)
Impact factor: 3.998, year: 2019
Method of publishing: Open access
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-52306-2.pdf

Cryptic genetic diversity and erroneous morphological species determination represent frequent problems in biodiversity research. Here, examination of 138 specimens of Synodontis (Mochokidae, Siluriformes) from the Nile River and Lake Turkana revealed the presence of both S. schall-like and S. frontosus-like morphotypes, with a phenotypic gradient between them. We concluded phylogenetic and population genetic analyses based on two mitochondrial and one nuclear marker including 131 coxI (565 bp), 96 cytb (973 bp) and 19 RAG2 (896 bp) sequences from the Nile-Turkana population, plus additional GenBank data of Synodontis spp. Whilst nuclear data were inconclusive, mitochondrial sequences suggested that both morphotypes and intermediate forms are conspecific. The results imply probable synonymy of S. frontosus with S. schall. Conversely, a strong biogeographical signal was revealed among widely distributed and supposedly conspecific S. schall-like catfish of the Nilo-Sudanian ichthyological province. Synodontis schall sensu stricto (=Eastern clade), as defined by type locality in the Nile, is apparently restricted to the eastern part of the Nilo-Sudanian ichthyological province (e.g. Nile, Turkana, Chad). Synodontis schall Western clade (Senegambia, Niger, Chad) most probably represents a cryptic taxon, unrecognized thus far due to the absence of distinctive morphological differences.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0301500