Abstract
ABSTRACT The sciaenid genus Bairdiella comprises a group of relatively small fishes found in inshore waters and estuaries of the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific. Despite recent analyses of the phylogenetic relationships of Bairdiella, there has been no comprehensive revision of the alpha taxonomy of the species of the genus. Bairdiella ronchus from the western Atlantic, has a complex taxonomic history, with four junior synonyms recognized. Based on morphological and molecular evidence, this study indicates that B. ronchus represents a species complex. The species is therefore redescribed and its geographic range is redefined. Bairdiella veraecrucis, which is currently recognized as a junior synonym of B. ronchus, is revalidated, and a new species of the genus is described from the Atlantic coast of Brazil. Finally, inferences are made on the diversity and biogeography of the B. ronchus species complex.
Highlights
The Sciaenidae is one of the largest families of Perciformes, with approximately 300 species, found in the coastal zones of tropical and temperate regions worldwide (Chao, 1978, 1986; Sasaki, 1989; Fricke et al, 2018a)
The time-calibrated phylogeny obtained in BEAST (Fig. 2) indicates that B. veraecrucis diverged from the lineage that includes B. ronchus and B. goeldi sp. nov. at 1.57±0.93 mya, while B. ronchus and B. goeldi sp. nov. diverged at 0.85±0.76 mya
The molecular separation of B. goeldi sp. nov., B. rochus, and B. veraecrucis is corroborated by the General Mixed Yule Coalescent model (GMYC) analysis
Summary
The Sciaenidae is one of the largest families of Perciformes, with approximately 300 species, found in the coastal zones of tropical and temperate regions worldwide (Chao, 1978, 1986; Sasaki, 1989; Fricke et al, 2018a). Some are euryhaline, and are able to adapt to a wide range of salinity, while six genera are restricted to freshwater habitats (Casatti, 2002). Bairdiella Gill, 1861 comprises a group of relatively small fishes (TL up to 350 mm) found in inshore waters and estuaries of the western Atlantic (WA) and eastern Pacific (EP). The five currently recognized species of Bairdiella are found in tropical and subtropical coastal waters (Chao, 1995, 2003): B. armata Gill, 1863 (EP), B. chrysoura (Lacepède, 1802) (WA), B. ensifera (Jordan & Gilbert, 1882) (EP), B. icistia (Jordan & Gilbert, 1882) (EP), and B. ronchus e180024[1]
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