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Phylogeography and population structure of the Rock Darter species complex, Etheostoma rupestre (Teleostomi: Percidae) across the Mobile River Basin

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Abstract

Despite the high diversity and endemism in the Mobile River Basin, analyses of molecular phylogeographic patterns of freshwater fishes in this system are lacking. Using cytochrome b (cyt b) and S7 ribosomal intron-1, this study compares the phylogeography and population structure of Etheostoma rupestre Rock Darter with a disjunct distribution throughout the Mobile River Basin. For cyt b, parsimony, Bayesian, and Species Delimitation analyses showed a split between the Tombigbee, Alabama, and Coosa/Tallapoosa Rivers, potentially representing previously undescribed species. In addition, there is evidence of limited gene flow between the lower Tombigbee/Sipsey River populations and other populations. Hierarchical comparison showed that there is genetic divergence between the major rivers of the Mobile River Basin. The lack of structure within the tributaries of the river system may indicate that Rock Darter is capable of further dispersal than typical for a darter species. The structure identified across the basin may be due to historic sea-level fluctuations and/or contemporary structure, but fine-scale, within-river analyses would be necessary to further unravel the phylogenetic relationships of the Rock Darter species complex. This study is relevant to establishing conservation guidelines for the biodiversity in the Mobile River Basin.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available in the GenBank Repository, OP887044-OP887132.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Grace Kleiner, Abbey Kleiner, Dan Holt, Katie Lawson, Heath Haley, and Morgan Scarbrough for help with sampling and field assistance. Map and GIS help were kindly provided by Nichelle M. VanTassel. Special thanks go to Mary Freeman and the Georgia Museum of Natural History for collection of samples from the Conasauga and Etowah Rivers.

Funding

Funding for this Project was provided by the Walter F. Cox Research Fund of the Birmingham Audubon Society.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL, 32514, USA

    A. M. Janosik

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA, 70301, USA

    J. M. Whitaker

  3. Department of Fisheries, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA

    C. E. Johnston

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Janosik, A.M., Whitaker, J.M. & Johnston, C.E. Phylogeography and population structure of the Rock Darter species complex, Etheostoma rupestre (Teleostomi: Percidae) across the Mobile River Basin. Hydrobiologia 850, 761–773 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-022-05122-1

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