Pomacanthidae Research Articles

Angels in disguise: sympatric hybridization in the marine angelfishes is widespread and occurs between deeply divergent lineages.

Hybridization events are not uncommon in marine environments where physical barriers are attenuated. Studies of coral reef taxa have suggested that hybridization predominantly occurs between parapatric species distributed along biogeographic suture zones. By contrast, little is known about the extent of sympatric hybridization on coral reefs, despite the large amount of biogeographic overlap shared by many coral reef species. Here, we investigate if the propensity for hybridization along suture zones represents a general phenomenon among coral reef fishes, by focusing on the marine angelfishes (family Pomacanthidae). Although hybridization has been reported for this family, it has not been thoroughly surveyed, with more recent hybridization studies focusing instead on closely related species from a population genetics perspective. We provide a comprehensive survey of hybridization among the Pomacanthidae, characterize the upper limits of genetic divergences between hybridizing species and investigate the occurrence of sympatric hybridization within this group. We report the occurrence of hybridization involving 42 species (48% of the family) from all but one genus of the Pomacanthidae. Our results indicate that the marine angelfishes are among the groups of coral reef fishes with the highest incidences of hybridization, not only between sympatric species, but also between deeply divergent lineages.

Ancestral biogeography and ecology of marine angelfishes (F: Pomacanthidae)

Marine angelfishes (F: Pomacanthidae) are amongst the most conspicuous reef fish families inhabiting reefs on tropical and subtropical latitudes. While being disproportionately represented in the marine ornamental fish trade, only a handful of taxonomically restricted studies explored their biogeographic history and the evolution body size and trophic guilds. Here, we reconstruct the phylogenetic history for 70 pomacanthid species (85% of nominal species), based on previously published data for three nuclear and four mitochondrial markers. We use the resulting phylogenetic framework to explore the ancestral biogeography and ecological diversification of the family. Divergence times and ancestral range estimation highlight the origins of the family most likely lie in the Central Pacific region. Vicariance among ocean basins reflects the impact of the Terminal Tethyan Event and the closure of the Isthmus of Panama in the historical biogeography of Pomacanthus and Holacanthus genera. The reconstruction also uncovers ancestral colonization pathways via the Pacific Ocean into the western Atlantic waters for Holacanthus. We confirm the Indian Ocean invasion scenario previously proposed for the “acanthops” complex (genus: Centropyge). Finally, interspecific variation in body size among clades appeared to be correlated to some degree with trophic guilds, whereby 15% of variance in body size was explained by trophic modes. This suggests that the higher ecological diversification observed in the Centropyge clade might be promoted by smaller body sizes acting as an ecological novelty allowing the expansion of the genus within available niches.

Body shape convergence driven by small size optimum in marine angelfishes.

Convergent evolution of small body size occurs across many vertebrate clades and may reflect an evolutionary response to shared selective pressures. However it remains unclear if other aspects of phenotype undergo convergent evolution in miniaturized lineages. Here we present a comparative analysis of body size and shape evolution in marine angelfishes (Pomacanthidae), a reef fish family characterized by repeated transitions to small body size. We ask if lineages that evolve small sizes show convergent evolution in body shape. Our results reveal that angelfish lineages evolved three different stable size optima with one corresponding to the group of pygmy angelfishes (Centropyge). Then, we test if the observed shifts in body size are associated with changes to new adaptive peaks in shape. Our data suggest that independent evolution to small size optima have induced repeated convergence upon deeper body and steeper head profile in Centropyge These traits may favour manoeuvrability and visual awareness in these cryptic species living among corals, illustrating that functional demands on small size may be related to habitat specialization and predator avoidance. The absence of shape convergence in large marine angelfishes also suggests that more severe requirements exist for small than for large size optima.

Complete mitogenomes of Cocos lemonpeel angelfish (Centropyge flavissima) and Eibl’s angelfish (Centropyge eibli) (Teleostei: Pomacanthidae)

In this study, we used the next-generation sequencing method to deduce two complete mitogenomes of Cocos lemonpeel angelfish (Centropyge flavissima) and Eibl’s angelfish (Centropyge eibli) for the first time. The assembled mitogenome, consisting of 17 010 bp and 17 101 bp, showing 98.3% identity each other. Both mitogenomes follow the typical vertebrate arrangement, including 13 protein coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, two ribosomal RNA genes, and a non-coding control region of D-loop. D-loop contains 1302 bp in C. flavissima and 1392 bp in C. eibli and locates between tRNA-Pro and tRNA-Phe. The overall GC content is 45.2% for C. flavissima and 44.9% for C. eibli. Complete mitogenomes of C. flavissima and C. eibli provide essential and important DNA molecular data for phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis for marine angelfishes.

Complete mitogenomes of Spotbreast angelfish (Genicanthus melanospilos) and Blackstriped angelfish (Genicanthus lamarck) (Teleostei: Pomacanthidae)

In this study, we used the next-generation sequencing method to deduce two complete mitogenomes of Spotbreast angelfish (Genicanthus melanospilos) and Blackstriped angelfish (Genicanthus lamarck) for the first time. The assembled mitogenome, consisting of 16 736 bp and 16 616 bp, showing 91.8% identity each other. Both mitogenome follow the typical vertebrate arrangement, including 13 protein coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNAs genes and a non-coding control region of D-loop. D-loop contains 1026 bp in G. melanospilos and 912 bp in G. lamarck and locates between tRNA-Pro and tRNA-Phe. The overall GC content is 46.2% for G. melanospilos and 46.3% for G. lamarck. Complete mitogenomes of G. melanospilos and G. lamarck provide essential and important DNA molecular data for phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis for marine angelfishes.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Vermiculated angelfish (Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus) (Perciformes: Pomacanthidae)

In this study, the complete mitogenome sequence of the Vermiculated angelfish (Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus) (Perciformes: Pomacanthidae) has been sequenced by the next-generation sequencing method. The assembled mitogenome consisting of 16,998 bp, including 13 protein coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, and two ribosomal RNAs genes. The overall base composition of vermiculated angelfish is 27.6% for A, 30.7% for C, 16.1% for G, and 25.6% for T and show 85% identities to Bluestripe angelfish C. septentrionalis in the same genus. The complete mitogenome of the Vermiculated angelfish provides essential and important DNA molecular data for further phylogeography and evolutionary analysis for marine angelfishes.

English

In the present investigation, a total of 5 species belonging to three genera such as Pomacanthus, Centropyge and Apolemichthys were reported from the 10 selected stations of Tamilnadu, south east coast of India. The diversity studies revealed that the species diversity, richness and evenness were comparatively higher at Rameshwaram and Kanniyakumari due to the rocky shore and coral reef ecosystem. Species composition study revealed that the smoke angel (Apolemichthys xanthurus) was found to be dominant group which constituting 57% of total fishes. The results of the present study evidenced that the occurrence and distribution of marine angel fishes were higher in Gulf of Mannar than other region of Tamilnadu. The present findings clearly explained about distribution pattern of marine angel fishes which could be useful for better understanding of the status of its diversity along southeast coast of India and also highlights the need for effective conservation measures of these commercially important marine ornamental fish group. Key words: South east coast of India, distribution, diversity, taxonomy, marine angelfishes, pomacanthidae.

Evolution of high trophic diversity based on limited functional disparity in the feeding apparatus of marine angelfishes (f. Pomacanthidae).

The use of biting to obtain food items attached to the substratum is an ecologically widespread and important mode of feeding among aquatic vertebrates, which rarely has been studied. We did the first evolutionary analyses of morphology and motion kinematics of the feeding apparatus in Indo-Pacific members of an iconic family of biters, the marine angelfishes (f. Pomacanthidae). We found clear interspecific differences in gut morphology that clearly reflected a wide range of trophic niches. In contrast, feeding apparatus morphology appeared to be conserved. A few unusual structural innovations enabled angelfishes to protrude their jaws, close them in the protruded state, and tear food items from the substratum at a high velocity. Only one clade, the speciose pygmy angelfishes, showed functional departure from the generalized and clade-defining grab-and-tearing feeding pattern. By comparing the feeding kinematics of angelfishes with wrasses and parrotfishes (f. Labridae) we showed that grab-and-tearing is based on low kinematics disparity. Regardless of its restricted disparity, the grab-and-tearing feeding apparatus has enabled angelfishes to negotiate ecological thresholds: Given their widely different body sizes, angelfishes can access many structurally complex benthic surfaces that other biters likely are unable to exploit. From these surfaces, angelfishes can dislodge sturdy food items from their tough attachments. Angelfishes thus provide an intriguing example of a successful group that appears to have evolved considerable trophic diversity based on an unusual yet conserved feeding apparatus configuration that is characterized by limited functional disparity.

Evolution and biogeography of marine angelfishes (Pisces: Pomacanthidae)

Phylogenetic relationships among angelfishes (Pomacanthidae) and their putative sister taxon, the butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae), were examined using 12S and 16S mitochondrial DNA sequences. ML and MP trees were highly congruent with good basal resolution. Monophyly of the two families was supported, although a clade comprising the Chaetodontidae and one of the outgroups, the Scatophagidae, formed the sister clade to the Pomacanthidae. All genera and subgenera within the Pomacanthidae were examined. The relationships among the 24 representative species were consistent with traditional generic boundaries, with the exception of the genus Centropyge, but differed from previous phylogenies. Estimated ages of divergence based on trans-isthmian pairs were compared with independent fossil evidence. Trans-isthmian estimates were highly conservative, while fossil-calibrated estimates were most consistent with available evidence. Fossil calibrated estimates suggest that the family has been impacted by both the Terminal Tethyan Event and the closure of the Isthmus of Panama. Within the family, ecological diversity and species-level diversification are restricted primarily to a single pygmy angelfish clade with an origin near the Oligocene–Miocene boundary.

Close karyotypical relationship between two species of marine angelfishes from South Atlantic:Pomacanthus arcuatusandP. paru(Perciformes, Pomacanthidae)

AbstractSeveral cytogenetical studies on marine Perciformes have demonstrated a conservative chromosomal pattern. Despite of some exceptions, even more specialized groups such as those from coral reefs have followed this trend. Nevertheless, the number of karyotypical information on fish from this environment is relatively reduced. In this work, cytogenetical data were obtained from two species of family Pomacanthidae (Perciformes), widespread throughout the Brazilian coast and associated to reefs: Pomacanthus paru and P. arcuatus. Both species have the same chromosomal constitution. The respective karyotypes are composed by one subtelocentric pair and 23 acrocentric pairs (2n=48). Single NORs are located on short arms of the subtelocentric pair. Heterochromatic blocks are restricted to centromeres and NORs. An accentuated NOR size heteromorphism between homologous was detected and analyses by chromomycin A3 demonstrated that it can be attributed to structural chromosome differences. A model of NOR evolut...

A review of hybridization in marine angelfishes (Perciformes: Pomacanthidae)

A review of hybridization in marine angelfishes (Perciformes: Pomacanthidae)

A review of hybridization in marine angelfishes (Perciformes: Pomacanthidae)

A review of hybridization in marine angelfishes (Perciformes: Pomacanthidae)

Protogynous Hermaphroditism in Two Marine Angelfishes

Protogynous Hermaphroditism in Two Marine Angelfishes