The Cichlid Room Companion

Hello everyone,

Is the red bay snook more closely related to caquetaia or parachromis?

according to the publications I've seen, it's most closely related species is 'Cichlasoma' uropthalumus, and after that ther comes a long period of nothing

Personally I'm quite certain the mouths of Petenia, Caquetia and Parachromis are examples of convergent evolution

Bas is correct that Petenia splendida and 'Cichlasoma' urophthalmus are most closely related to each other according to a number of molecular phylogenetic studies. I also agree it is a great example of convergent evolution.

Thanks guys! I wondered about the snook, because they are so different then most CA.

Nuchal Man wrote:Bas is correct that Petenia splendida and 'Cichlasoma' urophthalmus are most closely related to each other according to a number of molecular phylogenetic studies.

My understanding is that is only SOME populations of "exCichlasoma" urophathalmus and based on cytochrome b .....mitochondrial DNA, so that would mean only SOME "exC." urophthalmus populations have more recent common ancerstory with Petenia splendida on the maternal side. Given "exC." urophthalmus's salinity tolerance and ability to move up the coast, and hurricane/flooding weather on the Atlantic over 1,000's of years, the chance of some hybirdization event in the past, would seem quite likely. some one correct me if i am wrong??

Nuchal Man wrote:Bas is correct that Petenia splendida and 'Cichlasoma' urophthalmus are most closely related to each other according to a number of molecular phylogenetic studies.

My understanding is that is only some populations of "exCichlasoma" urophthalmus and is based on cytochrome b...mitochondrial DNA. So all that really means is that some populations of "exC." urophthalmus and Petinia splendida have common ancestory in the recent past. Consider that exC. urophthalmus has high salinity tolerance and can move up a coastline, and as well the frequency of hurricane and flooding over 1,000`s of years; maybe a hybirdization event might explain their closer relatioship. Somebody correct me if I`m wrong.

Sorry for the double post, It did not show up innitially so I posted again. But I think I am mistaken anyways.

Can't find what I read 4-5 years back about exC. urophthalmus and odd cytochrome b results. A lot of researchers get conflicting results and come up with some what different phylogentic trees. Though I can't find any that do not place Petenia splendida and exC. urophthalmus as more closely related , including some studies that use nucleur markers as well.