Molecular phylogeny of the Aplodactylidae (Perciformes: Cirrhitoidea), a group of Southern Hemisphere marine fishes

Abstract

Aplodactylids are temperate marine nearshore fish of New Zealand, southern Australia, several south-west Pacific islands, and western South America. The molecular phylogeny of the five aplodactylid species was reconstructed from mitochondrial DNA sequences. The observed relationships and levels of genetic variation supports the most recent review of the Aplodactylidae in which the monotypic Crinodus is synonymized with Aplodactylus, the only genus presently recognized. Phylogenetic relationships indicate that the Aplodactylidae originated in the approximate region of Australia and New Zealand, with the majority of radiation occurring prior to this family achieving representation in South America. The disjunct trans-Pacific distribution of this family was the result of chance dispersal rather than vicariance accompanying Gondwana fragmentation. Such dispersal was most likely undertaken during the larval phase, mediated by the West Wind Drift current.

Keywords:

• Aplodactylidae Aplodactylus Crinodus Phylogeny Mitochondrial Dna Biogeography Gondwana Fragmentation Molecular Clock