A study of the evolutionary relationships of Fundulus topminnows (teleostei: Fundulidae)

Abstract

A hypothesis of the evolutionary relationships of thirty-four species of Fundulus and their closer relatives is presented. The study is restricted to morphological characters which could be determined to be primitive or derived using the methods of phylogenetic systematics. Following Parenti, a family Fundulidae is recognized. It is composed of four genera of North American killifishes. (Cyprinodontidae as usually constitutedis polyphyletic.) No convincing characters demonstrate that Fundulus is a natural group (a monophyletic group). However, all species of Fundulus share four derived characters with Lucania. The sister group (closest genealogical relative) of Fundulus plus Lucania is a group composed of the genera Adinia and Leptolucania. Four monophyletic groups of Fundulus can be recognized based on shared derived characters: (1) subgenus Fundulus (seven species excluding three species placed in Fontinus); (2) subgenus Fonlinus (six species); (3) subgenus Xensima (five species); and (4) subgenus Zygonectes (thirteen species). Three species, F. (Plancterus) zebrinus, F. lima, and F. parvipinnis are of uncertain affinities within the Lucania-Fundulus clade © 1986 by the American Society of Zoologists.