Multi‐locus sequence data reveal a new species of coral reef goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae: Eviota), and evidence of Pliocene vicariance across the Coral Triangle

Abstract

Here, multi-locus sequence data are coupled with observations of live colouration to recognize a new species, Eviota punyit from the Coral Triangle, Indian Ocean and Red Sea. Relaxed molecular clock divergence time estimation indicates a Pliocene origin for the new species, and the current distribution of the new species and its sister species Eviota sebreei supports a scenario of vicariance across the Indo-Pacific Barrier, followed by subsequent range expansion and overlap in the Coral Triangle. These results are consistent with the 'centre of overlap' hypothesis, which states that the increased diversity in the Coral Triangle is due in part to the overlapping ranges of Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean faunas. These findings are discussed in the context of other geminate pairs of coral reef fishes separated by the Indo-Pacific Barrier.

A review of the Eviota zebrina complex, with descriptions of four new species (Teleostei, Gobiidae)

“…Sequences for the new species and additional specimens from the E. zebrina complex were sequenced in Greenfield et al (2019) and our prior studies on Eviota ( Tornabene et al 2013 , 2015 , 2016 ; Greenfield et al 2019 ). For those studies, we sequenced a segment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I ( COI ) using the primers GobyL6468 and GobyH7696 ( Thacker 2003 ) or FishF-1 and FishR-1 ( Ward et al 2005 ), and the nuclear gene Protease III (Ptr) using the primers PtrF2 and PtrR2 ( Yamada et al 2009 ).…”

“…For those studies, we sequenced a segment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I ( COI ) using the primers GobyL6468 and GobyH7696 ( Thacker 2003 ) or FishF-1 and FishR-1 ( Ward et al 2005 ), and the nuclear gene Protease III (Ptr) using the primers PtrF2 and PtrR2 ( Yamada et al 2009 ). The PCR conditions follow that of Tornabene et al (2016) . Additional sequences that were putatively identified as E. zebrina were added from BOLD or GenBank.…”

“…nov.) that terminates in distinct black spot on the base of the caudal fin that is sometimes bordered with yellow in life (spot faint in E. tetha ). The combination of the lateral stripe and black caudal spot are present only in two other species, E. sebreei Jordan & Seale, 1906 and E. punyit Tornabene et al, 2016 , both of which differ from the E. zebrina complex in having a pore pattern lacking the PITO pore, and in having a fourth pelvic-fin ray with many more branches (11–15 vs. 3–7).…”

“…The genus Eviota , commonly known as dwarfgobies, contains 124 species ( Greenfield 2021 ; Greenfield and Erdmann 2021 ), making it one of the most speciose genera of marine fishes. Several putatively widespread species of Eviota displaying morphological variation have recently been shown to be complexes of distinct species that are often distinguishable by a combination of genetic differences, subtle morphological characters, and/or differences in live coloration ( Greenfield and Tornabene 2014 ; Tornabene et al 2015 , 2016 ). Another example of this phenomenon is demonstrated by the Eviota zebrina complex, a group containing eight genetic lineages based on mtDNA, including the nominal species Eviota zebrina Lachner & Karnella, 1978, E. cometa Jewett & Lachner, 1983, E. gunawanae Greenfield et al, 2019 , E. tetha Greenfield & Erdmann, 2014, and several undescribed species ( Greenfield et al 2019 ).…”

Try Tri again? Resolving species boundaries in theLomatium triternatum(Apiaceae) complex

“…In particular, molecular phylogenetic approaches have been important in identifying reciprocally monophyletic groups that can often be diagnosed on the basis of phenotypic character states (Froufe et al, ; Richards & Knowles, ; Winker, ; Guayasamin et al, ; Zimmers et al, ), ecological niches (Bond & Stockman, ; Gazis et al, ), or geographic distributions (Milá et al, ; Schuchert, ; Gaither et al, ; Friis et al, ). Such studies have provided a mechanism to reveal species that are cryptic (O'Donnell et al, ; Dauphin et al, ; Schuchert, ; Zhao et al, ) or nearly cryptic (Carlson et al, ; Tornabene et al, ; Lawler & Duda, ) based on morphological differentiation alone.…”