The phylogenetic affinities of Crenichthys and Empetrichthys using mtDna
Crenichthys (Springfish) and Empetrichthys (Poolfish) are two relictual genera of cyprinodontiform fishes that are restricted to the state of Nevada. Of five families proposed, three, Cyprinodontidae, Goodeidae, and Empetrichthyidae, are still under consideration. The Goodeidae, fishes endemic to the Mexican Plateau, are viviparous, whereas Crenichthys and Empetrichthys are oviparous. Approximately 300 base pairs of the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome-b were sequenced in order to address the familial phylogenetic relationships of Crenichthys and Empetrichthys. All analyses concur that Crenichthys and Empetrichthys are related to members of the family Goodeidae rather than to the Cyprinodontidae. Therefore, this phylogeny supports a model of historical biogeographic affinities between fishes of the Mexican Plateau and fishes of the Mojave and Great Basin deserts.
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