Molecular phylogenetics of sculpins of the subfamily Oligocottinae (Cottidae).

The sculpin subfamily Oligocottinae includes 18-20 species of nearshore benthic fishes with a diverse array of reproductive strategies. As a first step toward understanding the evolution of that diversity, we conducted a phylogenetic study based on DNA sequences from eight genomic regions from 31 sculpin species aimed at testing monophyly and relationships of the Oligocottinae. Representatives from the perciform families Agonidae, Cottidae, Hemitripteridae, Hexagrammidae, Psychrolutidae, and Rhamphocottidae served as outgroups. The sequence data were analyzed in maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic inference frameworks. Results of these analyses show that a systematic revision of the group is warranted. The genus Clinocottus is a polyphyletic assemblage of three distinct lineages, which should be indicated by resurrection of the subgenera Blennicottus, Clinocottus, and Oxycottus; Leiocottus hirundo is more closely related to Clinocottus analis than C. analis is related to any other member of Clinocottus; the composition of the tribe Oligocottini should be revised to include only the genera Oligocottus, Clinocottus, and Orthonopias; and the genus Sigmistes should be removed from the subfamily Oligocottinae.

Phylogenetic relationships of salangid fishes (Osmeridae, Salanginae) with comments on phylogenetic placement of the salangids based on mitochondrial DNA sequences.

We used partial DNA sequences of cytochrome b and 16S mitochondrial genes to determine the phylogenetic placement of salangid fishes and the generic relationships within the salangids. Our molecular data strongly support the monophyly of salangid fishes, the inclusion of salangids in the Osmeridae, and the sister group relationship between salangids and osmerids. Our analyses suggest that Plecoglossus can be separated from all the other salangids and osmerids. Mallotus and Hypomesus are clustered within Osmerinae, rather than allied with Salanginae. As regards the relationships within the salangids, our analyses are incongruent with all previous classification hypotheses. Our phylogenetic analyses support the sister group relationships between Protosalanx and Neosalanx, and between Salanx and Hemisalanx. More evidences show that Leucosoma is more closely related to the Salanx-Hemisalanx clade, while Salangichthys forms part of an unresolved basal polytomy.