Open AccessA multigene molecular assessment of cryptic biodiversity in the iconic freshwater blackfishes ( T eleostei: P ercichthyidae: G adopsis ) of south‐eastern A ustralia
Author(s) -
Hammer Michael P.,
Unmack Peter J.,
Adams Mark,
Raadik Tarmo A.,
Johnson Jerald B.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
biological journal of the linnean society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.906
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1095-8312
pISSN - 0024-4066
DOI - 10.1111/bij.12222
Subject(s) - biology , biodiversity , biological dispersal , species complex , ecology , freshwater fish , taxon , taxonomy (biology) , biodiversity hotspot , range (aeronautics) , phylogenetic tree , fishery , population , fish <actinopterygii> , biochemistry , materials science , demography , sociology , gene , composite material
Freshwater biodiversity is under ever increasing threat from human activities, and its conservation and management require a sound knowledge of species‐level taxonomy. Cryptic biodiversity is a common feature for aquatic systems, particularly in A ustralia, where recent genetic assessments suggest that the actual number of freshwater fish species may be considerably higher than currently listed. The freshwater blackfishes (genus G adopsis ) are an iconic group in south‐eastern A ustralia and, in combination with their broad, naturally divided distribution and biological attributes that might limit dispersal, as well as ongoing taxonomic uncertainty, they comprise an ideal study group for assessing cryptic biodiversity. We used a multigene molecular assessment including both nuclear (51 allozyme loci; two S7 introns) and matrilineal markers (cyt b ) to assess species boundaries and broad genetic substructure within freshwater blackfishes. Range‐wide examination demonstrates the presence of at least six candidate species across two nominal taxa, G adopsis marmoratus and G adopsis bispinosus . Phylogeographical patterns often aligned to purported biogeographical provinces but occasionally reflected more restricted and unexpected relationships. We highlight key issues with taxonomy, conservation, and management for a species group in a highly modified region. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2014, 111 , 521–540.