Journal
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
Volume 198, Issue 4, Pages 923-956Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad007
Keywords
Microphis; molecular phylogeny; new species; phylogenetic mapping; phylogenetics; species redescription; Syngnathidae; taxonomy
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The family Syngnathidae is intriguing, with most species found in marine coastal waters, but about 30 species inhabit rivers on Indo-Pacific tropical islands. Freshwater pipefish within the family have been under-studied, and the taxonomy of Nerophinae is still uncertain. This study demonstrates the importance of integrative taxonomy in redefining higher taxa, using a combination of molecular, morphological, and ecological data.
The family Syngnathidae (seahorses, sea dragons and pipefishes) is a fascinating group. Species are mostly distributed in marine coastal waters, but about 30 species inhabit Indo-Pacific tropical island rivers. There are currently six freshwater genera of Nerophinae (trunk-brooders): Belonichthys, Coelonotus, Doryichthys, Lophocampus, Microphis and Oostethus. Unlike other Syngnathidae, freshwater pipefish have been little studied; the taxonomy of Nerophinae is unclear and only based on morphomeristic data. The purpose of our study is to undertake a revision of this group based on an integrative taxonomy approach. By combining molecular data from four mitochondrial markers (5415 bp), morphomeristic data with a character mapping study and ecological data, we now recognize a single genus as valid, Microphis, as opposed to the six previously accepted. Our results also reveal one new candidate species, Microphis nicoleae sp. nov., and the resurrection of two others: Microphis torrentius and Microphis vaillantii. This study shows the relevance of integrative taxonomy for higher taxa delineation, using data integration by congruence.
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