Phylogenomics oftrans-Andean tetras of the genusHyphessobryconDurbin 1908 and colonization patterns of Middle America

Abstract

AbstractHyphessobryconis one of the most species rich and widely distributed genera in the family Characidae, with more than 160 species ranging from Veracruz, Mexico to Argentina. The majority of the diversity ofHyphessobryconshows acis-Andean distribution; only nine species aretrans-Andean includingH. compressus(Meek 1908). It is well established thatHyphessobryconis not monophyletic but has been suggested that natural groups can be identified within the largerHyphessobryconspecies group. In this study, we test the monophyly oftrans-Andean species ofHyphessobryconand investigate the placement ofH. compressus. We have inferred the first phylogenomic hypothesis oftrans-AndeanHyphessobryconthat includes nearly complete taxonomic sampling (eight of nine valid species) using ultraconserved elements (UCEs). We analyzed 75% (1682 UCEs), 90% (1258 UCEs), and 95% (838 UCEs) complete data matrices, and inferred phylogenomic hypotheses under concatenation and coalescent approaches. In all cases, we recovered the monophyly oftrans-AndeanHyphessobryconinclusive ofH. compressus, and strong support for three species groups and evidence of cryptic diversity within the widespreadH. compressusandH. condotensis. We used our phylogenomic hypothesis to investigate the biogeographic history ofHyphessobryconin Middle America. Our ancestral range estimation analysis suggests a single event ofcis- totrans-Andean colonization followed by stepwise colonization from the Pacific slope of northwestern South America (Chocó block) to northern Middle America (Maya block). Our work supports the recognition of thetrans-Andean species asHyphessobryconsensu stricto and provides a robust evolutionary template to examine morphological characters that will allow us to better understand the diversity ofHyphessobryconin Middle America.