Ictaluridae

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Michael Hardman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • The Relative Importance of Body Size and Paleoclimatic Change as Explanatory Variables Influencing Lineage Diversification Rate: An Evolutionary Analysis of Bullhead Catfishes (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae)
    2015
    Co-Authors: Michael Hardman, M. Hardman
    Abstract:

    Abstract. — We applied Bayesian phylogenetics, divergence time estimation, diversification pattern analysis, and parsi-mony-based methods of ancestral state reconstruction to a combination of nucleotide sequences, maximum body sizes, fossils, and paleoclimate data to explore the influence of an extrinsic (climate change) and an intrinsic (maximum body size) factor on diversification rates in a North American clade of catfishes (Ictaluridae). We found diversification rate to have been significantly variable over time, with significant (or nearly significant) rate increases in the early history of Noturus. Though the latter coincided closely with a period of dramatic climate change at the Eocene-Oligocene boundary, we did not detect evidence for a general association between climate change and diversification rate during the entire history of Ictaluridae. Within Ictaluridae, small body size was found to be a near significant predictor of species richness. Morphological stasis of several species appears to be a consequence of a homoplastic increase in body size. We estimated the maximum stan-dard length of the ictalurid ancestor to be approximately 50 cm, comparable to Eocene ictalurids (Astephus) and similar to modern sizes of Ameiurus and their Asian sister-taxon Cranoglanis. During the late Paleocene and early Eocene, the ictalurid ancestor diversified into the lineages represented by the modern epigean genera. The majority of modern species originated in the Oligocene and Miocene, most likely according to a peripheral isolates model of speciation. We discuss the difficul-ties of detecting macroevolutionary patterns within a lineage history and encourage the scrutiny of the terminal Eocene climatic event as a direct promoter of diversification. [Clade assymmetry; Eocene extinction; historical biogeography; Nort

  • The Relative Importance of Body Size and Paleoclimatic Change as Explanatory Variables Influencing Lineage Diversification Rate: An Evolutionary Analysis of Bullhead Catfishes (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae)
    Systematic biology, 2008
    Co-Authors: Michael Hardman, Lotta M. Hardman
    Abstract:

    We applied Bayesian phylogenetics, divergence time estimation, diversification pattern analysis, and parsimony-based methods of ancestral state reconstruction to a combination of nucleotide sequences, maximum body sizes, fossils, and paleoclimate data to explore the influence of an extrinsic (climate change) and an intrinsic (maximum body size) factor on diversification rates in a North American clade of catfishes (Ictaluridae). We found diversification rate to have been significantly variable over time, with significant (or nearly significant) rate increases in the early history of Noturus. Though the latter coincided closely with a period of dramatic climate change at the Eocene-Oligocene boundary, we did not detect evidence for a general association between climate change and diversification rate during the entire history of Ictaluridae. Within Ictaluridae, small body size was found to be a near significant predictor of species richness. Morphological stasis of several species appears to be a consequence of a homoplastic increase in body size. We estimated the maximum standard length of the ictalurid ancestor to be approximately 50 cm, comparable to Eocene ictalurids (Astephus) and similar to modern sizes of Ameiurus and their Asian sister-taxon Cranoglanis. During the late Paleocene and early Eocene, the ictalurid ancestor diversified into the lineages represented by the modern epigean genera. The majority of modern species originated in the Oligocene and Miocene, most likely according to a peripheral isolates model of speciation. We discuss the difficulties of detecting macroevolutionary patterns within a lineage history and encourage the scrutiny of the terminal Eocene climatic event as a direct promoter of diversification.

  • A phylogenetic analysis of the major groups of catfishes (Teleostei: Siluriformes) using rag1 and rag2 nuclear gene sequences.
    Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 2006
    Co-Authors: John P. Sullivan, John G. Lundberg, Michael Hardman
    Abstract:

    Abstract Higher-level relationships among catfishes were investigated by parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of two nuclear genes across 110 catfish species representing 36 of 37 families and Conorhynchos (family incertae sedis ). Analysis of 3660 aligned base pairs from the rag1 and rag2 genes confirms monophyly of Siluriformes, of most siluriform families and of a number of multifamily groups, some recognized, some novel. South American Loricarioidei are recovered as the sistergroup to other catfishes which are divided into Diplomystidae and Siluroidei. This result contrasts with the prevailing hypothesis that Diplomystidae is the sister to all other catfishes. Monophyly of Siluroidei is supported by rag data including a unique three-codon deletion from rag1 . Deep within Siluroidei are 12 large, strongly supported groups with poorly resolved interrelationships. Five are single families: Cetopsidae, Plotosidae, Chacidae, Siluridae and Pangasiidae. Four others are monophyletic taxa ranked here as superfamilies: Clarioidea (Clariidae, Heteropneustidae), Arioidea (Ariidae, Anchariidae), Pimelodoidea (Pimelodidae, Pseudopimelodidae, Heptapteridae, Conorhynchos ), Ictaluroidea (Ictaluridae, Cranoglanididae). South American Doradoidea (Doradidae, Auchenipteridae) and Aspredinidae are a sistergroup pair. Sisoroidea (without Aspredinidae), Ailia  +  Laides , Horabagridae, and Bagridae (without Rita ) form a large, predominantly Asian clade, “Big Asia.” Mochokidae, Malapteruridae, Amphiliidae, Claroteidae, and African schilbids are united as a species-rich African clade, “Big Africa.” The three large continental clades, “Big Asia,” “Big Africa” and Neotropical Loricarioidei suggest a prevalence of intracontinental diversification of catfishes. South America is the home of the Gymnotiformes, putative sistergroup of catfishes, plus two of the deepest siluriform clades, Loricarioidei and Diplomystidae, thus suggesting an ancient siluriform presence if not origin there. The rag phylogeny does not identify any African-South American catfish clade. The well-known African-Asian relationships within families Clariidae and Bagridae are confirmed, as is the recently found North American-Asian relationship between Ictaluridae and Cranoglanididae.

  • the phylogenetic relationships among non diplomystid catfishes as inferred from mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences the search for the ictalurid sister taxon otophysi siluriformes
    Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 2005
    Co-Authors: Michael Hardman
    Abstract:

    Abstract The relationships among families of catfishes are poorly understood and have yet to be the subject of a comprehensive investigation with molecular data. Existing phylogenetic hypotheses are based on morphological data and incompletely resolved. This study analyzed complete sequences of mitochondrial gene cytochrome b for 170 species from 29 of 33 extant families, and focused on the relationships of Ictaluridae to other catfishes. In addition to previous phylogenetic studies, the fossil record, paleogeography, biogeography, and distribution of extant catfish families collectively suggest the location (if extant) of the ictalurid sister taxon to be Northern or Eastern Asia. Of the extant catfishes currently native to this area and included in this analysis, parsimony and Bayesian likelihood analyses recovered Cranoglanis bouderius as the most proximal sister taxon of Ictaluridae. Seemingly, ictalurids and cranoglanidids represent another biogeographic component linking freshwater fishes of North America and eastern Asia, e.g., catostomids and paddlefishes. The results coupled with present-day catfish distributions and inferences from the fossil record collectively suggest the ancestor of Ictaluridae to have invaded freshwaters of North America at the close of the Cretaceous through northeastern Asia and northwestern North America. Other superfamilial nodes supported the results of previous phylogenetic studies of narrower taxonomic scope. Several novel relationships were recovered (including a clade composed of Pimelodidae, Pseudopimelodidae, and Heptapteridae) and these along with sources of systematic error are discussed. A broad sampling of Bagridae permitted an examination of intergeneric relationships within this family and in light of recent morphological and molecular studies.

  • The phylogenetic relationships among non-diplomystid catfishes as inferred from mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences; the search for the ictalurid sister taxon (Otophysi: Siluriformes).
    Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 2005
    Co-Authors: Michael Hardman
    Abstract:

    The relationships among families of catfishes are poorly understood and have yet to be the subject of a comprehensive investigation with molecular data. Existing phylogenetic hypotheses are based on morphological data and incompletely resolved. This study analyzed complete sequences of mitochondrial gene cytochrome b for 170 species from 29 of 33 extant families, and focused on the relationships of Ictaluridae to other catfishes. In addition to previous phylogenetic studies, the fossil record, paleogeography, biogeography, and distribution of extant catfish families collectively suggest the location (if extant) of the ictalurid sister taxon to be Northern or Eastern Asia. Of the extant catfishes currently native to this area and included in this analysis, parsimony and Bayesian likelihood analyses recovered Cranoglanis bouderius as the most proximal sister taxon of Ictaluridae. Seemingly, ictalurids and cranoglanidids represent another biogeographic component linking freshwater fishes of North America and eastern Asia, e.g., catostomids and paddlefishes. The results coupled with present-day catfish distributions and inferences from the fossil record collectively suggest the ancestor of Ictaluridae to have invaded freshwaters of North America at the close of the Cretaceous through northeastern Asia and northwestern North America. Other superfamilial nodes supported the results of previous phylogenetic studies of narrower taxonomic scope. Several novel relationships were recovered (including a clade composed of Pimelodidae, Pseudopimelodidae, and Heptapteridae) and these along with sources of systematic error are discussed. A broad sampling of Bagridae permitted an examination of intergeneric relationships within this family and in light of recent morphological and molecular studies.

John G. Lundberg - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Supplementary animation & Data for: Satan’s skeleton revealed: a tomographic and comparative osteology of Satan eurystomus, the subterranean Widemouth Blindcat (Siluriformes, Ictaluridae). Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphi
    2017
    Co-Authors: John G. Lundberg, Dean A. Hendrickson, Kyle R. Luckenbill, Mariangeles Arce H.
    Abstract:

    The animations and data archived here, derived from CT scans of two specimens of the Widemouth Blindcat, Satan eurystomus, supplement the content published separately as Lundberg, John G., Dean A. Hendrickson, Kyle Luckenbill, and Mariangeles Arce H. 2017. “Satan’s Skeleton Revealed: A Tomographic and Comparative Osteology of Satan Eurystomus, the Subterranean Widemouth Blindcat (Siluriformes, Ictaluridae).” Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 165: 117-173. The files are also stored in an active Morphosource project (Skeletal Morphology of Stygobitic Ictalurids - http://morphosource.org/Detail/ProjectDetail/Show/project_id/398) where they may evolve and additional files may be added. Each file has its own additional description/caption.

  • supplementary animation data for satan s skeleton revealed a tomographic and comparative osteology of satan eurystomus the subterranean widemouth blindcat siluriformes Ictaluridae proceedings of the academy of natural sciences of philadelphia 165 117
    2017
    Co-Authors: John G. Lundberg, Dean A. Hendrickson, Kyle R. Luckenbill, Mariangeles Arce H.
    Abstract:

    The animations and data archived here, derived from CT scans of two specimens of the Widemouth Blindcat, Satan eurystomus, supplement the content published separately as Lundberg, John G., Dean A. Hendrickson, Kyle Luckenbill, and Mariangeles Arce H. 2017. “Satan’s Skeleton Revealed: A Tomographic and Comparative Osteology of Satan Eurystomus, the Subterranean Widemouth Blindcat (Siluriformes, Ictaluridae).” Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 165: 117-173. The files are also stored in an active Morphosource project (Skeletal Morphology of Stygobitic Ictalurids - http://morphosource.org/Detail/ProjectDetail/Show/project_id/398) where they may evolve and additional files may be added. Each file has its own additional description/caption.

  • Phylogeny of the North American catfish family Ictaluridae (Teleostei: Siluriformes) combining morphology, genes and fossils
    Cladistics, 2016
    Co-Authors: Mariangeles Arce-h., John G. Lundberg, Maureen A. O'leary
    Abstract:

    We performed the first combined-data phylogenetic analysis of ictalurids including most living and fossil species. We sampled 56 extant species and 16 fossil species representing outgroups, the seven living genera, and the extinct genus †Astephus long thought to be an ictalurid. In total, 209 morphological characters were curated and illustrated in MorphoBank from published and original work, and standardized using reductive coding. Molecular sequences harvested from GenBank for one nuclear and four mitochondrial genes were combined with the morphological data for total evidence analysis. Parsimony analysis recovers a crown clade Ictaluridae composed of seven living genera and numerous extinct species. The oldest ictalurid fossils are the Late Eocene members of Ameiurus and Ictalurus. The fossil clade †Astephus placed outside of Ictaluridae and not as its sister taxon. Previous morphological phylogenetic studies of Ictaluridae hypothesized convergent evolution of troglobitic features among the subterranean species. In contrast, we found morphological evidence to support a single clade of the four troglobitic species, the sister taxon of all ictalurids. This result holds whether fossils are included or not. Some previously published clock-based age estimates closely approximate our minimum ages of clades.

  • Satan's skeleton revealed: a tomographic and comparative osteology of Satan eurystomus, the subterranean Widemouth Blindcat (Siluriformes, Ictaluridae)
    Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 2016
    Co-Authors: John G. Lundberg, Dean A. Hendrickson, Kyle R. Luckenbill, Arce H Mariangeles
    Abstract:

    The Widemouth Blindcat, Satan eurystomus Hubbs and Bailey 1947, was the second of four stygobitic species of Ictaluridae discovered in the subterranean waters of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. The skeletal anatomy of Satan has been scarcely known from a few, dated radiographs. Using additional radiographs and high resolution CT-datasets for two well-ossified specimens, we applied high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) to visualize, illustrate and describe the bony skeleton of Satan. We also provide an online archive of still and animated tomographic images of the skeletal anatomy of this little-known species.The skeleton and soft anatomy of Satan are distinctive. Twelve skeletal autapomorphies are described that singularly distinguish Satan within Ictaluridae and, probably in combination, from all other catfishes. Some of these are reductive losses or simplifications of skull bones (e.g. loss of one infraorbital bone; reduced ornamentation of the pterotic bone) and joint complexity (e.g. simple overlapping frontal-lateral ethmoid articulation; loosely ligamentous interopercle-posterior ceratohyal joint). Some of the autapomorphies are anatomically and perhaps developmentally complex (e.g. a novel series of three midline joints closing a middle span of the posterior cranial fontanel; a deeply excavated temporal fossa and an unusually enlarged interhyal bone). The tiny dorsal-fin spinelet (first lepidotrich) of Satan has a novel peaked and twisted shape.Ten apparent and exclusive synapomorphies within Ictaluridae gathered from this and previous studies suggest that Satan and Pylodictis are closest relatives. Most of these are functionally related to prey detection and suction feeding: fusion of the symphyseal mandibular sensory pores and increase in the number of preoperculo-mandibular canal pores; depressed, flattened heads and wide transverse mouths; prominent posterior process of the lateral ethmoid alongside and below the frontal bone margin; vertical and blade-like supraoccipital posterior process; unique arrangement of the parasagittal and occipital muscleattachment crests on the skull roof; large triangular panel of integument within the operculum framed by the opercle, preopercle and interopercle bones; elongated posterior ceratohyal; and, form of the fourth supraneural and loss of its anterior nuchal plate.In contrast, 15 synapomorphies recovered by Arce-H. et al. 2016, are confirmed suggesting that Satan is one of the four stygobitic ictalurids comprising a “Troglobites” subclade within the family: (Trogloglanis, Satan, Prietella phreatophila, P. lundbergi). These features include three stygomorphic and reductive apomorphies that are exclusive within Ictaluridae: loss of fully developed eyes and pigmentation, and simplification of the fifth vertebra and its joint with the Weberian apparatus. Twelve other synapomorphies shown by the Troglobites are also apparent homoplasies of character states shared with various other ictalurids. These include reductive characters such as shortened lateral line canal, reduced infraorbitals and underdeveloped or incomplete ossifications of the pterotic, supraoccipital, hyoid arch bones and transcapular ligament. Also, the Troglobites and various other ictalurids have: an adnate adiposecaudal fin, foreshortened anterior cranial fontanelle, reduced ventral wings of the frontal bone, replacement of bone by cartilage in hypohyal joints; incompletely ossified transcapular ligament, and consolidation of some hypural bones.Completing a full morphological character dataset across the Troglobites has been impeded by incomplete specimen preparations and study of P. lundbergi and to a lesser extent, P. phreatophila and Trogloglanis.

  • Taxonomic Discrimination and Identification of Extant Blue Catfishes (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae: Ictalurus furcatus Group)
    Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 2010
    Co-Authors: Rocío Rodiles-hernández, John G. Lundberg, John P. Sullivan
    Abstract:

    ABSTRACT. Three species of the Ictalurus furcatus Group (genus Ictalurus) are recognized: I. furcatus, I. meridionalis and I. balsanus. These species are differentially diagnosed by characters of the bony skeleton, fin-ray and vertebral counts, morphometries and coloration. Ictalurus balsanus is distinctive in having a relatively short supraoccipital process, anterior nuchal plate and posterior cleithral process, weakly developed pectoral-fin spine ornamentation, and an elongated posterolateral premaxillary process. Ictalurus furcatus and I. meridionalis are closely similar species but are clearly distinguished by features of the pectoral-fin spine ornamentation, supraoccipital process shape and texture, posterior cleithral process shape, numbers of anal-fin rays and vertebrae, and related proportional measurements of anal-fin and caudal peduncle length. Apparent differences among the three species in maximum size and coloration are also noted. A limited sample of molecular sequence data from the 12S/16S ...

Dean A. Hendrickson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Supplementary animation & Data for: Satan’s skeleton revealed: a tomographic and comparative osteology of Satan eurystomus, the subterranean Widemouth Blindcat (Siluriformes, Ictaluridae). Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphi
    2017
    Co-Authors: John G. Lundberg, Dean A. Hendrickson, Kyle R. Luckenbill, Mariangeles Arce H.
    Abstract:

    The animations and data archived here, derived from CT scans of two specimens of the Widemouth Blindcat, Satan eurystomus, supplement the content published separately as Lundberg, John G., Dean A. Hendrickson, Kyle Luckenbill, and Mariangeles Arce H. 2017. “Satan’s Skeleton Revealed: A Tomographic and Comparative Osteology of Satan Eurystomus, the Subterranean Widemouth Blindcat (Siluriformes, Ictaluridae).” Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 165: 117-173. The files are also stored in an active Morphosource project (Skeletal Morphology of Stygobitic Ictalurids - http://morphosource.org/Detail/ProjectDetail/Show/project_id/398) where they may evolve and additional files may be added. Each file has its own additional description/caption.

  • supplementary animation data for satan s skeleton revealed a tomographic and comparative osteology of satan eurystomus the subterranean widemouth blindcat siluriformes Ictaluridae proceedings of the academy of natural sciences of philadelphia 165 117
    2017
    Co-Authors: John G. Lundberg, Dean A. Hendrickson, Kyle R. Luckenbill, Mariangeles Arce H.
    Abstract:

    The animations and data archived here, derived from CT scans of two specimens of the Widemouth Blindcat, Satan eurystomus, supplement the content published separately as Lundberg, John G., Dean A. Hendrickson, Kyle Luckenbill, and Mariangeles Arce H. 2017. “Satan’s Skeleton Revealed: A Tomographic and Comparative Osteology of Satan Eurystomus, the Subterranean Widemouth Blindcat (Siluriformes, Ictaluridae).” Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 165: 117-173. The files are also stored in an active Morphosource project (Skeletal Morphology of Stygobitic Ictalurids - http://morphosource.org/Detail/ProjectDetail/Show/project_id/398) where they may evolve and additional files may be added. Each file has its own additional description/caption.

  • Satan's skeleton revealed: a tomographic and comparative osteology of Satan eurystomus, the subterranean Widemouth Blindcat (Siluriformes, Ictaluridae)
    Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 2016
    Co-Authors: John G. Lundberg, Dean A. Hendrickson, Kyle R. Luckenbill, Arce H Mariangeles
    Abstract:

    The Widemouth Blindcat, Satan eurystomus Hubbs and Bailey 1947, was the second of four stygobitic species of Ictaluridae discovered in the subterranean waters of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. The skeletal anatomy of Satan has been scarcely known from a few, dated radiographs. Using additional radiographs and high resolution CT-datasets for two well-ossified specimens, we applied high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) to visualize, illustrate and describe the bony skeleton of Satan. We also provide an online archive of still and animated tomographic images of the skeletal anatomy of this little-known species.The skeleton and soft anatomy of Satan are distinctive. Twelve skeletal autapomorphies are described that singularly distinguish Satan within Ictaluridae and, probably in combination, from all other catfishes. Some of these are reductive losses or simplifications of skull bones (e.g. loss of one infraorbital bone; reduced ornamentation of the pterotic bone) and joint complexity (e.g. simple overlapping frontal-lateral ethmoid articulation; loosely ligamentous interopercle-posterior ceratohyal joint). Some of the autapomorphies are anatomically and perhaps developmentally complex (e.g. a novel series of three midline joints closing a middle span of the posterior cranial fontanel; a deeply excavated temporal fossa and an unusually enlarged interhyal bone). The tiny dorsal-fin spinelet (first lepidotrich) of Satan has a novel peaked and twisted shape.Ten apparent and exclusive synapomorphies within Ictaluridae gathered from this and previous studies suggest that Satan and Pylodictis are closest relatives. Most of these are functionally related to prey detection and suction feeding: fusion of the symphyseal mandibular sensory pores and increase in the number of preoperculo-mandibular canal pores; depressed, flattened heads and wide transverse mouths; prominent posterior process of the lateral ethmoid alongside and below the frontal bone margin; vertical and blade-like supraoccipital posterior process; unique arrangement of the parasagittal and occipital muscleattachment crests on the skull roof; large triangular panel of integument within the operculum framed by the opercle, preopercle and interopercle bones; elongated posterior ceratohyal; and, form of the fourth supraneural and loss of its anterior nuchal plate.In contrast, 15 synapomorphies recovered by Arce-H. et al. 2016, are confirmed suggesting that Satan is one of the four stygobitic ictalurids comprising a “Troglobites” subclade within the family: (Trogloglanis, Satan, Prietella phreatophila, P. lundbergi). These features include three stygomorphic and reductive apomorphies that are exclusive within Ictaluridae: loss of fully developed eyes and pigmentation, and simplification of the fifth vertebra and its joint with the Weberian apparatus. Twelve other synapomorphies shown by the Troglobites are also apparent homoplasies of character states shared with various other ictalurids. These include reductive characters such as shortened lateral line canal, reduced infraorbitals and underdeveloped or incomplete ossifications of the pterotic, supraoccipital, hyoid arch bones and transcapular ligament. Also, the Troglobites and various other ictalurids have: an adnate adiposecaudal fin, foreshortened anterior cranial fontanelle, reduced ventral wings of the frontal bone, replacement of bone by cartilage in hypohyal joints; incompletely ossified transcapular ligament, and consolidation of some hypural bones.Completing a full morphological character dataset across the Troglobites has been impeded by incomplete specimen preparations and study of P. lundbergi and to a lesser extent, P. phreatophila and Trogloglanis.

  • convergence among cave catfishes long branch attraction and a bayesian relative rates test
    Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 2004
    Co-Authors: Thomas P Wilcox, F Garcia J De Leon, Dean A. Hendrickson, David M. Hillis
    Abstract:

    Convergence has long been of interest to evolutionary biologists. Cave organisms appear to be ideal candidates for studying convergence in morphological, physiological, and developmental traits. Here we report apparent convergence in two cave-catfishes that were described on morphological grounds as congeners: Prietella phreatophila and Prietella lundbergi. We collected mitochondrial DNA sequence data from 10 species of catfishes, representing five of the seven genera in Ictaluridae, as well as seven species from a broad range of siluriform outgroups. Analysis of the sequence data under parsimony supports a monophyletic Prietella. However, both maximum-likelihood and Bayesian analyses support polyphyly of the genus, with P. lundbergi sister to Ictalurus and P. phreatophila sister to Ameiurus. The topological difference between parsimony and the other methods appears to result from long-branch attraction between the Prietella species. Similarly, the sequence data do not support several other relationships within Ictaluridae supported by morphology. We develop a new Bayesian method for examining variation in molecular rates of evolution across a phylogeny.

  • Mexican blindcats genus Prietella (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae): an overview of recent explorations
    The biology of hypogean fishes, 2001
    Co-Authors: Dean A. Hendrickson, Jean K. Krejca, Juan Manuel Rodríguez Martinez
    Abstract:

    The ictalurid genus Prietella was described from a single locality in northern Mexico (Coahuila) in 1954, and until very recently went largely unstudied. Cave explorers have recently uncovered new localities and a second species much farther to the south (Mexico: Tamaulipas). Our team visited over 50 sites, including all of the previously known sites possible, and explored many new sites, expanding the known range of Prietella and describing their habitat. We identified geological units and mapped caves, identified associated troglobitic invertebrates, estimated population sizes and measured water chemistry parameters. We also comment on laboratory diet, parasites, sensory biology, behavior (such as jaw locking and periods of inactivity), reproduction and systematics based on preliminary genetic data. Prietella phreatophila is listed as endangered, and due to the recent discovery of many more sites (formerly documented from three localities, now known from twelve sites, though some are hydrologically connected) we recommend threatened status, with careful attention to growing threats such as over pumping and contamination of the aquifer it lives in. Should these patterns continue unchecked, re-listing this species as endangered may be called for. Prietella lundbergi was also described from one site but is now known from two, though it is quite rare at both (only five specimens have ever been seen). P. lundbergi was described after the most recent revision of the Mexican endangered species list and should probably be considered as endangered.

David M. Hillis - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • convergence among cave catfishes long branch attraction and a bayesian relative rates test
    Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 2004
    Co-Authors: Thomas P Wilcox, F Garcia J De Leon, Dean A. Hendrickson, David M. Hillis
    Abstract:

    Convergence has long been of interest to evolutionary biologists. Cave organisms appear to be ideal candidates for studying convergence in morphological, physiological, and developmental traits. Here we report apparent convergence in two cave-catfishes that were described on morphological grounds as congeners: Prietella phreatophila and Prietella lundbergi. We collected mitochondrial DNA sequence data from 10 species of catfishes, representing five of the seven genera in Ictaluridae, as well as seven species from a broad range of siluriform outgroups. Analysis of the sequence data under parsimony supports a monophyletic Prietella. However, both maximum-likelihood and Bayesian analyses support polyphyly of the genus, with P. lundbergi sister to Ictalurus and P. phreatophila sister to Ameiurus. The topological difference between parsimony and the other methods appears to result from long-branch attraction between the Prietella species. Similarly, the sequence data do not support several other relationships within Ictaluridae supported by morphology. We develop a new Bayesian method for examining variation in molecular rates of evolution across a phylogeny.

Mariangeles Arce H. - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.