Systematics of the Etheostoma punctulatum Species Group (Teleostei: Percidae), with Descriptions of Two New Species
The Stippled Darter, Etheostoma punctulatum, has long been recognized as a single species of the subgenus Ozarka, endemic to the clear, high-gradient creeks and rivers of the Arkansas, White, and Missouri river drainages in the Ozark Plateau of the Interior Highlands of North America. Etheostoma punctulatum is redescribed and two new species are described based on morphological and allozyme characters, and phylogenetic analyses. The Stippled Darter, E. punctulatum, is restricted to tributaries of the Missouri River. The Autumn Darter, E. autumnale, new species, is endemic to the White River system, Missouri and Arkansas. The Sunburst Darter, E. mihileze, new species, is known only from the Arkansas River system, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The three species are found to be divergent and diagnosable from one another and represent valid species under a variety of species concepts. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that E. punctulatum is sister to E. mihileze, new species, plus E. autumnale, new species.Abstract
Members of the Etheostoma punctulatum species group. (A) Stippled Darter, Etheostoma punctulatum; breeding male, 63 mm SL, UAIC 11153.03. (B) Sunburst Darter, Etheostoma mihileze; breeding male, 63 mm SL, USNM 398660, holotype. (C) Sunburst Darter, Etheostoma mihileze; breeding female, 68 mm SL, UAIC 10710.05, paratype. (D) Autumn Darter, Etheostoma autumnale; breeding male, 67 mm SL, USNM 398661, holotype. All specimens drawn from nature; copyright to specimen images held by Joseph R. Tomelleri, Cimarron Trading Company; used with permission.
Distribution of the E. punctulatum complex in the Ozark Highlands of North America (Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma).
Distance Wagner tree depicting genetic similarities among species and populations of Etheostoma punctulatum, E. mihileze, and E. autumnale.
Principal component analysis of meristic features in Etheostoma punctulatum (solid circle), E. mihileze (solid triangle), and E. autumnale (open square).
Sheared principal component analysis of morphometric features in the E. punctulatum complex. Above = males, below = females.
Phylogenetic relationships among Etheostoma punctulatum, E. mihileze, and E. autumnale based on morphological and allozyme character variation and outgroup comparisons.
Contributor Notes
Associate Editor: W. L. Smith.