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- Title
Molecular Evidence Reveals Taxonomic Uncertainties and Cryptic Diversity in the Neotropical Catfish of the Genus Pimelodus (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae).
- Authors
Limeira Filho, Daniel; França, Elidy Rayane de Rezende; Costa, Dalton Kaynnan de Prado; Lima, Renato Correia; Nascimento, Maria Histelle Sousa do; Batista, Jacqueline da Silva; Barros, Maria Claudene; Fraga, Elmary da Costa
- Abstract
Simple Summary: The catfish of the genus Pimelodus are amply distributed in the Neotropical region, although the species-level taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of these fish are still poorly resolved. In the present study, we used a molecular approach to delimit the Pimelodus species from the different river basins of the Neotropical region. For this, we analyzed sequences of the mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene from 13 nominal species, which generated 24 consensus Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs). Only six of the nominal species were recovered as well-defined molecular entities, while seven presented cryptic diversity or taxonomic uncertainties. The DNA barcode analysis presented here represents an important step toward the definition of the species of this economically important group of fish, which will be fundamental to the conservation of its diversity. Pimelodus is the most speciose genus of the family Pimelodidae, and is amply distributed in the Neotropical region. The species-level taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships within this genus are still poorly resolved, however. These taxonomic problems and the general lack of data have generated major uncertainties with regard to the identification of specimens from different localities. In the present study, we applied a single-locus species delimitation approach to identify the MOTUs found within the genus Pimelodus and provide sound evidence for the evaluation of the species richness of this genus in the different river basins of the Neotropical region. The study was based on the analysis of sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene of 13 nominal species, which resulted in the identification of 24 consensus MOTUs. Only six nominal species were recovered as well-defined molecular entities by both the traditional barcoding analysis and the molecular delimitation methods, while the other seven presented cryptic diversity or persistent taxonomic uncertainties. The lineages identified from the Parnaíba ecoregions, Amazonas Estuary and Coastal Drainages may represent a much greater diversity of Pimelodus species than that recognized currently, although a more detailed study of this diversity will be necessary to provide a more definitive classification of the genus.
- Subjects
AMAZONAS (Brazil); CYTOCHROME oxidase; CLADISTIC analysis; GENETIC barcoding; CATFISHES; DNA analysis; SPECIES diversity
- Publication
Biology (2079-7737), 2024, Vol 13, Issue 3, p162
- ISSN
2079-7737
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/biology13030162