Western boundary of the subfamily Danioninae in Asia (Teleostei, Cyprinidae): Derived from the systematic position of Barilius mesopotamicus based on molecular and morphological data

Abstract

Analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences from 198 species confirms the position of Barilius mesopotamicus as a species of the Asian genus Barilius within the subtribe Chedrina in the subfamily Danioninae. This relationship is supported by a parsimony analysis based on 43 morphological characters, and the morphological examination confirms that B. mesopotamicus possesses the synapomorphies of the Danioninae and Chedrina, viz. absence of the Y-shaped ligament and the greatly reduced postcleithrum, respectively. Barilius mesopotamicus greatly expands the western boundary of the Asian Danioninae into the Tigris-Euphrates basin. Copyright © 2011 Magnolia Press.