Molecular Systematics of the Genus Cottus (Scorpaeniformes: Cottidae)
To evaluate the monophyly of Cottus and to identify species groups within the genus we generated a data set of 1914 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome b and ATPase 8 and 6) for 87 individuals representing 36 of the 42 currently recognized species of the genus. Both parsimony and Bayesian analyses consistently supported non-monophyly of Cottus with respect to the Baikalian sculpins and the genus Leptocottus. Analyses also supported recognition of five clades within the genus Cottus. These are referred to herein as the Cottopsis, Uranidea, Baikalian, Cottus, and Cephalocottus clades. These clades encompass all but ten recognized Cottus species, nine whose placement was uncertain in our analyses and one not included in our analyses. Lastly, we recognize a freshwater sculpin clade comprising the most speciose freshwater component of the family Cottidae.Abstract
Bayesian majority rule consensus tree from combined analysis of cytb and ATPase (mean log-likelihood of six runs −23378.48 ± 17.65). Terminal labels represent current genus/species classification and brackets depict clades recognized herein. Malacocottus zonurus, Scorpaenichthys marmoratus, Hemilepidotus jordani, Clinocottus analis, Myoxocephalus thompsoni, and M. quadricornis not shown on tree. The lowest posterior probabilities resulting from the six independent Bayesian analyses are indicated above branches
Maximum parsimony strict consensus of 273 equally-parsimonious trees resulting from combined analysis of cytb and ATPase (4622 steps). Terminal labels represent current genus/species classification and brackets depict clades recognized herein. Malacocottus zonurus, Scorpaenichthys marmoratus, Hemilepidotus jordani, Clinocottus analis, Myoxocephalus Thompsoni, and M. quadricornis not shown on tree. Bootstrap values are above branches and decay values are below branches
Contributor Notes
Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, 3507 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103-2010. Current Address: (APK) Department of Fisheries Biology, Humboldt State University, One Harpst Street, Arcata, California 95521. (APK) Andrew.Kinziger@humboldt.edu. Send reprint requests to APK