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Dryad

Data and scripts from: Total evidence phylogenetic analysis reveals polyphyly of Anostomoides and uncovers an unexpectedly ancient genus of anostomid fishes

Data files

Jun 11, 2021 version files 65.45 MB

Abstract

The nearly 150 species of Anostomidae comprise one of the most diverse and taxonomically dynamic families of Neotropical freshwater fishes. A recent revision of the enigmatic and poorly diagnosed genus Anostomoides demonstrated that it contains two valid species, each with complicated taxonomic histories; however, that study did not address their phylogenetic placement. Herein, we provide the integrated molecular and morphological data and scripts used to demonstrate their distant evolutionary relationship, and thus the polyphyly of Anostomoides. Results from analysis of these data reconstruct one of the species in a previously hypothesized placement within a clade also containing Laemolyta, Rhytiodus and Schizodon, and the other as a morphologically and genetically distinctive lineage that diverged early in the history of the family. The paper that these data support describes and illustrates the osteology of this remarkable species, discusses the evolutionary implications of its unique suite of features, and uses those characteristics to diagnose a new genus that evolved independently of all other known members of the family for approximately 37 Myr.