Filogenia e classificação dos peixes poecilióideos (Cyprinodontiformes: Cyprinodontoidei)

Abstract

A phylogenetic hypothesis based on 173 characters of 34 taxa is proposed for poecilioid fishes. The analysis included characters of osteology and external morphology and resulted in a single most parsimonious tree with with 607 steps, consistency index 36 and retention index 72. The following topology was obtained: (Jenynsia multidentata ((Aplocheilichthys spilauchen (Procatopus nototaenia (Lamprichthys tanganicus (Micropanchax lamberti (Micropanchax johnstoni (Congopanchax myersi (Hylopanchax stictopleuron + Fluviphylax simplex))))))) (Tomeurus gracilis (Gambusia nicaraguensis (Alfaro huberi (Priapella compressa (Brachyrhaphys cascajalensis (Heterandria bimaculata + Priapichthys annectens))))) (Neoheterandria tridentiger ((Girardinus serripenis + Xenodexia ctenolepis) (Phallichthys fairweatheri (Xiphophorus helleri (Poecilia heterandria ((Limia pauciradiata (Poecilia vivipara (Poecilia sphenops + Poecilia velifera))) ((Micropoecilia parae + Lebistes reticulatus) (Pamphorichthys hollandi (Poeciliopsis prolifica (Phallotorynus jucundus (Cnesterodon carnegiei (Phalloceros caudimaculatus (Phalloptychus januarius))))))))))))))))). A new classification is proposed, in which Poeciliidae and Procatopodidae assume family status, forming a clade corroborated by 17 apomorphyc morphological characters. Sistergroup relationships between Tomeurus and the remaining poeciliids, as supported in previous classical revisionary studies, is herein confirmed. Poeciliinae is restricted to two tribes, Gambusiini and Poeciliini, with modifications in composition and phylogenetic position of included members.