Systematics and biogeography of the genus Gambusia (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae).
Item
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Title
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Systematics and biogeography of the genus Gambusia (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae).
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Identifier
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AAI8820891
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identifier
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8820891
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Creator
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Rauchenberger, Mary.
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Contributor
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Advisers: Donn Rosen | Gareth Nelson
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Date
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1988
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Biology, Zoology
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Abstract
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The poeciliid genus Gambusia is a monophyletic group of 45 species. It has a sister-group relationship with the genus Belonesox, and these two in turn are related to the genus Brachyrhaphis. Gambusia vittata and the members of the rachowi species group, each previously assigned to monotypic genera, do possess the synapomorphies for the genus Gambusia, and are thus included. Three subgenera within Gambusia are defined: the subgenus Heterophallina, the subgenus Arthrophallus, and the subgenus Gambusia. The subgenera Arthrophallus and Gambusia are sister groups. Within the subgenus Heterophallina, the panuco and rachowi species groups are more closely related to each other than either is to G. vittata. In the subgenus Arthrophallus, the nobilis and senilis species groups are sister taxa, and in the subgenus Gambusia, the puncticulata and punctata species groups are sister taxa. Relationships within species groups are also described. This scheme of relationships, and the new classification it produces, is a product of cladistic analysis of morphological characters. A complete descriptive osteology of Gambusia hispaniolae is also included, for comparison and reference.;Biogeographic analysis of the species groups of Gambusia concentrates on three areas. In southern Texas and northern Mexico, members of the affinis, nobilis, and senilis species groups overlap; their area cladograms are compared. The Rio Panuco basin of eastern Mexico is a meeting point for members of the subgenus Heterophallina, the senilis species group, and the affinis species group. A repeated pattern indicates a relationship between the Panuco basin and the Cuatro Cienegas basin of northern Mexico, with further ties to southern Mexico. Finally, links between Central America and the Greater Antilles are explored through the distribution patterns and area cladograms of the nicaraguensis, puncticulata, and punctata species groups. Repeated patterns include a relationship between Nuclear Central America (specifically Belize) and the Antilles, between Cuba and the Cayman Islands, and between eastern Cuba, Hispaniola, and the Bahamas. While most of the Caribbean patterns do not strictly reiterate each other, the patterns are all consistent. It is inferred that they represent different fragments of the complex history of Caribbean biogeography, and are compared with some published distributional information for other taxa.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
