Phylogenetic assessment of Eucinostomus gula, Eugerres plumieri, and Diapterus auratus (Pisces : Gerreidae) based on allozyme and mtDNA analyses

Abstract

The phylogeny of three gerreid species was evaluated through allozymes and mtDNA analyses. Genetic similarities were estimated with data from 18 protein-coding loci and from mtDNA fragments produced by 3 restriction enzymes. The allozyme and mtDNA dendograms had identical topology. Genetic distance, genetic similarity, and mtDNA sequence divergence indicated that E. plumieri and D. auratus are closer than any other combination of the three taxa. Eugerres and Diapterus are clearly sister groups within the dendogram. Allozyme and mtDNA analyses support the common taxonomic practice of grouping the mojarras that possess a serrated preoperculum.