Journal Article
Diversification in gravel beaches: A radiation of interstitial clingfish (Gouania, Gobiesocidae) in the Mediterranean Sea
Wagner, M., Bračun, S., Skofitsch, G., Kovačić, M., Zogaris, S., Iglésias, S.P., Sefc, K.M. and Koblmüller, S.
Record Number:
4384
Year:
2019
Journal:
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
Volume:
139, 106525
Abstract:
We report a hitherto unknown radiation within the clingfishes (Gobiesocidae), discovered in one of the beststudied
marine biomes, the Mediterranean Sea. The monotypic genus Gouania is a Mediterranean endemic inhabiting
the interstices of gravel beaches. Using geometric morphometric analyses, we identified two distinct
morphotypes (characterized by a slender and a stout body shape, respectively) among Gouania willdenowi
sampled from the three major Mediterranean basins (Eastern, Western and Adriatic). Slender and stout G.
willdenowi occurred sympatrically in the Adriatic and the Eastern Mediterranean basins. Only the stout morphotype
was found in the Western Mediterranean. Morphotypes were further distinguished by relative eye size
and number of vertebrae. Based on mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences, five highly divergent clades (COIbased
K2P distances of 8 to 15%) were identified. The clades represented, respectively, stout Adriatic, slender
Adriatic, stout Eastern, slender Eastern and stout Western Mediterranean Gouania. This suggests that the genus
Gouania comprises at least five different species. Phylogenetic relationships among clades furthermore imply
repeated evolution of convergent morphotypes. The onset of the Gouania radiation was dated to 3.23 (95% HPD
2.08–5.90) mya, and may therefore have overlapped with or followed the Messinian salinity crisis.
Times Cited:
5