Historical Biogeography of the Livebearing Fish Genus Poeciliopsis (Poeciliidae: Cyprinodontiformes)

Abstract

Abstract. To assess the historical biogeography of freshwater topminnows in the genus Poeciliopsis, we examined sequence variation in two mitochondrial genes, cytochrome b (1140 bp) and NADH subunit 2 (1047 bp). This widespread fish genus is distributed from Arizona to western Colombia, and nearly half of its 21 named species have distributions that border on the geologically active Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB), a region that defines the uplifted plateau (Mesa Central) of Mexico. We used the parametric bootstrap method to test the hypothesis that a single vicariant event associated with the TMVB was responsible for divergence of taxa found to the north and south of this boundary. Because the single-event hypothesis was rejected as highly unlikely, we hypothesize that at least two geological events were responsible for divergence of these species. The first (8-16 million years ago) separated ancestral populations that were distributed across the present TMVB region. A second event (2.8-6.4 million years ago) was associated with northward dispersal and subsequent vicariance of two independent southern lineages across the TMVB. The geological history of this tectonically and volcanically active region is discussed and systematic implications for the genus are outlined.

Monophyly of Heterandriini (Teleostei: Poeciliidae) revisited: a critical review of the data

“…1), and is well supported by the Bremer decay analysis, as in Mateos et al (2002). However, in the other two topologies arising from this study Poeciliopsis was not found to be monophyletic (Figs.…”

Concordant Biogeographic Patterns among Multiple Taxonomic Groups in the Mexican Freshwater Biota

“…The same pattern holds for poecilid fishes as the distribution of the genus Poeciliopsis is primarily restricted to Pacific slope drainages of Mexico and is notoriously absent from the Gulf of Mexico drainages north of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt [52], whereas Poecilia is found mainly along the Atlantic (Gulf of Mexico) slope drainage basins [45]. However, they are a conspicuous faunal component of Central America, accounting for approximately 35% of the secondary freshwater fauna [67].…”

“…The Isthmus of Tehuantepec represents a node of species diversity and is an important region for dispersal across Mexico; it is considered a bifurcation zone, that has directed the neotropical lowland fauna towards coastal environments, with one branch extending towards Oaxaca and the other one towards Veracruz and Tabasco [23], [52]. Rodriguez and Magalhães [53] stressed a maximum concentration of genera and species in the neighbouring areas east of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.…”

“…Rodriguez and Magalhães [53] stressed a maximum concentration of genera and species in the neighbouring areas east of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Nearly traversed by the Coatzacoalcos River, this low-altitude, narrow isthmus is the only region in Mexico where multiple groups of aquatic and riparian animals appear to have spread between the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific drainages [52], [54], [55].…”

Do the Historical Biogeography and Evolutionary History of the Digenean Margotrema spp. across Central Mexico Mirror Those of Their Freshwater Fish Hosts (Goodeinae)?

“…5C). These patterns were associated with geological events that shaped the biogeographic history of several freshwater fish taxa, such as the uprising of the Sierras de Manantlán and Cacoma, the volcanic activity of the Talpa-Mascota graben (geological depression; 3.6 Ma) and the reactivation of the Colima and Tamazula graben in the Pliocene [38], [41].…”