Evolution of the World's Smallest Vertebrate
Author Information
Author(s): Rüber Lukas, Kottelat Maurice, Tan Heok Hui, Ng Peter KL, Britz Ralf
Primary Institution: Department of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, London, UK
Hypothesis
What is the phylogenetic position of Paedocypris among cyprinids?
Conclusion
Paedocypris is closely related to another miniature fish, Sundadanio, and both belong to a clade that shows recurrent miniaturization.
Supporting Evidence
- Paedocypris and Sundadanio form a strongly supported sister group relationship.
- Miniaturized taxa are more numerous in the rasborine clade A than in any other cyprinid clade.
- Relaxed molecular clock estimates revealed high divergence times for the Sundadanio and Paedocypris clades.
Takeaway
This study looks at a tiny fish called Paedocypris, which is the smallest vertebrate in the world, and finds out how it is related to other small fish.
Methodology
Phylogenetic analysis based on complete mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b sequences from 227 cypriniform taxa.
Limitations
Some nodes in the phylogenetic tree are poorly supported or unresolved.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0082
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website