Comparison of genetic structure in co-occurring freshwater eleotrids (Actinopterygii: Philypnodon) reveals cryptic species, likely translocation and regional conservation hotspots

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorHammer, M.P.
dc.contributor.authorAdams, M.
dc.contributor.authorThacker, C.E.
dc.contributor.authorJohnson, J.B.
dc.contributor.authorUnmack, P.J.
dc.date.issued2019
dc.description.abstractFreshwater systems are naturally fragmented and heterogeneous habitats that promote genetic sub-division and speciation for aquatic biota. Here we provide a novel nuclear genetic perspective (49 allozyme loci) complimented with updated mitochondrial data for the eleotrid genus Philypnodon to investigate broad genetic substructure across south-eastern Australia as a foundation for management and conservation. The genus is nominally comprised of two small benthic fishes with contrasting physical and ecological traits, namely the Flathead Gudgeon P. grandiceps and the Dwarf Flathead Gudgeon P. macrostomus. Extensive sample coverage included 99 sites across 5 major drainage divisions and 48 river basins. Nuclear markers revealed strong, geographicallybased divergence and sub-structure, contrasting with shallower but largely congruent patterns for mtDNA. The results flag that each nominal species represents a hyper-cryptic species complex, including both broadly distributed and narrow-range taxa, with complicated biogeographic patterns. Predictions on dispersal and genetic structure based on ecological traits were only partially supported and varied by region, with the potential signature of human-assisted translocation evident in several catchments. Further intensive sampling in an important area of high genetic diversity, coastal south-east Queensland, is recommended to better resolve species boundaries and conservation units. The findings provide new insights on regional ecology and biogeography, demonstrating that even supposedly common species can, in reality, have complex conservation and management needs.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityMichael P. Hammer, Mark Adams, Christine E. Thackere, Jerald B. Johnsonf, Peter J. Unmack
dc.identifier.citationMolecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 2019; 139:106556-1-106556-16
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106556
dc.identifier.issn1055-7903
dc.identifier.issn1055-7903
dc.identifier.orcidAdams, M. [0000-0002-6010-7382]
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2440/145989
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherElsevier
dc.rights© 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106556
dc.subjectAquatic biodiversity
dc.subjectConservation
dc.subjectCryptic species
dc.subjectEleotridae
dc.subjectFreshwater
dc.subject.meshCell Nucleus
dc.subject.meshAnimals
dc.subject.meshPerciformes
dc.subject.meshCytochromes b
dc.subject.meshDNA, Mitochondrial
dc.subject.meshLikelihood Functions
dc.subject.meshConservation of Natural Resources
dc.subject.meshEcosystem
dc.subject.meshFresh Water
dc.subject.meshPhylogeny
dc.subject.meshSpecies Specificity
dc.subject.meshGenetic Structures
dc.subject.meshPrincipal Component Analysis
dc.subject.meshQueensland
dc.subject.meshGenetic Variation
dc.subject.meshPhylogeography
dc.titleComparison of genetic structure in co-occurring freshwater eleotrids (Actinopterygii: Philypnodon) reveals cryptic species, likely translocation and regional conservation hotspots
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

Files

Collections

Research Outputs