Speciation of the genus Barbus in the north Mediterranean basin: Recent advances from biochemical genetics

Abstract

On the basis of population genetic studies, this article proposes a systematic and evolutionary redefinition of some of the Barbus species occurring in the north Mediterranean basin. The comparative value of enzymatic and nucleic acid markers is discussed. The various evolutionary branches of the genus Barbus reflect the main migrations of the freshwater fish fauna. The phylogeny thus allows the origin of the species to be reconstituted. Species occurring in the north of the Mediterranean basin are positioned along an intercontinental gradient frequently having different levels of ploidy: these include diploid species, tetraploid species belong to the subgenus Barbus and the hexaploid species of the subgenus Labeobarbus. An integrated study of genetics, karyology, palaeontology, morphology and parasitology is suggested as the means of assessing the value of various evolutionary hypotheses proposed in the literature.