Molecular phylogeny and divergence time estimates using the mitochondrial genome for the hadal snailfish from the Mariana trench

• Published in: Science bulletin (Beijing) 2017-08, Vol.62 (16), p.1106-1108
• Main Authors: Shen, Yanjun, Dai, Wei, Gao, Zhaoming, Yan, Guoyong, Gan, Xiaoni, He, Shunping
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 分化; 分子数据; 分子系统发育; 时间估计; 狮子鱼; 线粒体基因组; 超深; 马里亚纳海沟
• ISSN: 2095-9273
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2017.07.010

Snailfishes are an important component of the hadal fish fauna [ 1 ]. Based on osteological and other morphological characters, Kido [2] recognized the Cyclopteridae as a sister group to the Liparidae and the superfamily Cottoidea as a sister group to the two families. The close relationship between Liparidae and Cyclopteridae is also supported by the shared presence of pelvic fins that have been modified into a sucking disc [3]. In addition, the results of recent studies using limited molecular data have also strongly supported a sister relationship between the Liparidae and the Cyclopteridae [4]. However, additional species and more complete molecular data are needed to verify the phylogenetic relationships between the Liparidae and other families. Within the snailfish group, phylo- genetic relationships among some species have been discussed. Previous studies have confirmed earlier hypotheses that the shallow-water genera, such as Liparis and Crystallichthys, occupy basal positions and that deep-water genera, such as Careproctus, Elassodiscus, Rhinoliparis, Paraliparis, Rhodichthys and Psednos, are increasingly derived [5]. Unfortunately, no samples of hadal or abyssal snailfishes were accessible for this previous study.