Phylogenetics and biogeography of the two‐wing flyingfish (Exocoetidae: Exocoetus). Issue 6 (12th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lewallen, Eric A.; Bohonak, Andrew J.; Bonin, Carolina A.; van Wijnen, Andre J.; Pitman, Robert L.; Lovejoy, Nathan R.
• Is Part Of: Ecology and evolution. Volume 7:Issue 6(2017:Apr.)
• Page Start: 1751
• Page End: 1761
• Publication Date: 2017-02-12
• Subjects: cryptic speciation -- epipelagic -- species delimitation; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2786
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7758

Abstract

Abstract: Two‐wing flyingfish ( Exocoetus spp .) are widely distributed, epipelagic, mid‐trophic organisms that feed on zooplankton and are preyed upon by numerous predators (e.g., tunas, dolphinfish, tropical seabirds), yet an understanding of their speciation and systematics is lacking. As a model of epipelagic fish speciation and to investigate mechanisms that increase biodiversity, we studied the phylogeny and biogeography of Exocoetus, a highly abundant holoepipelagic fish taxon of the tropical open ocean. Morphological and molecular data were used to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships, species boundaries, and biogeographic patterns of the five putative Exocoetus species. We show that the most widespread species ( E. volitans ) is sister to all other species, and we find no evidence for cryptic species in this taxon. Sister relationship between E. monocirrhus (Indo‐Pacific) and E. obtusirostris (Atlantic) indicates the Isthmus of Panama and/or Benguela Barrier may have played a role in their divergence via allopatric speciation. The sister species E. peruvianus and E. gibbosus are found in different regions of the Pacific Ocean; however, our molecular results do not show a clear distinction between these species, indicating recent divergence or ongoing gene flow. Overall, our phylogeny reveals that the most spatially restricted species are more recently derived, suggesting that allopatric barriers may drive speciation, but subsequent dispersal and range expansion may affect the distributions of species. Abstract : Morphological and molecular data of two‐wing flyingfish species analyzed within a phylogenetic context revealed three clear species definitions and two others that were less obvious. Cryptic species were not detected, and biogeographic patterns of speciation associated with species range size. Two‐wing flyingfish are abundant mid‐trophic fishes representative of the tropical epipelagos, such that other taxa within the same habitat should be investigated for similar patterns of phylogenetic history and biogeography, as well as speciation.