Journal Article

Molecular phylogenetics reveals convergent evolution in lower Congo River spiny eels

Alter, S.E., Brown, B. and Stiassny, M.L.J.

Record Number:
3751
Year:
2015
Journal:
BMC Evolutionary Biology
Volume:
15:224
Abstract:
Background: The lower Congo River (LCR) is a region of exceptional species diversity and endemism in the Congo basin, including numerous species of spiny eels (genus Mastacembelus). Four of these exhibit distinctive phenotypes characterized by greatly reduced optic globes deeply embedded into the head (cryptophthalmia) and reduced (or absent) melanin pigmentation, among other characteristics. A strikingly similar cryptophthalmic phenotype is also found in members of a number of unrelated fish families, strongly suggesting the possibility of convergent evolution. However, little is known about the evolutionary processes that shaped diversification in LCR Mastacembelus, their biogeographic origins, or when colonization of the LCR occurred. Methods: We sequenced mitochondrial and nuclear genes from Mastacembelus species collected in the lower Congo River, and compared them with other African species and Asian representatives as outgroups. We analyzed the sequence data using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic inference. Results: Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analyses, and Bayesian coalescent methods for species tree reconstruction, reveal that endemic LCR spiny eels derive from two independent origins, clearly demonstrating convergent evolution of the cryptophthalmic phenotype. Mastacembelus crassus, M. aviceps, and M. simbi form a clade, allied to species found in southern, eastern and central Africa. Unexpectedly, M. brichardi and brachyrhinus fall within a clade otherwise endemic to Lake Tanganikya (LT) ca. 1500 km east of the LCR. Divergence dating suggests the ages of these two clades of LCR endemics differ markedly. The age of the crassus group is estimated at ~4 Myr while colonization of the LCR by the brichardi-brachyrhinus progenitor was considerably more recent, dated at ~0.5 Myr. Conclusions: The phylogenetic framework of spiny eels presented here, the first to include LCR species, demonstrates that cryptophthalmia and associated traits evolved at least twice in Mastacembelus: once in M. brichardi and at least once in the M. crassus clade. Timing of diversification is broadly consistent with the onset of modern high-energy flow conditions in the LCR and with previous studies of endemic cichlids. The close genetic relationship between M. brichardi and M. brachyrhinus is particularly notable given the extreme difference in phenotype between these species, and additional work is needed to better understand the evolutionary history of diversification in this clade. The findings presented here demonstrate strong, multi-trait convergence in LCR spiny eels, suggesting that extreme selective pressures have shaped numerous phenotypic attributes of the endemic species of this region.
Times Cited:
8
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Molecular phylogenetics reveals convergent evolution in lower Congo River spiny eels
Stiassny, M.L.J. and Alter, S.E. (2015)
Phylogenetics of Teleogramma, a riverine clade of African cichlid fishes, with a description of the deep-water molluskivore —Teleogramma obama — from the lower reaches of the middle Congo River.
Alter, S.E., Brown, B. and Stiassny, M.L.J. (2015)
Molecular phylogenetics reveals convergent evolution in lower Congo River spiny eels
Stiassny, M.L.J. and Alter, S.E. (2015)
Phylogenetics of Teleogramma, a riverine clade of African cichlid fishes, with a description of the deep-water molluskivore —Teleogramma obama — from the lower reaches of the middle Congo River.
Stiassny, M.L.J. and Alter, S.E. (2015)
Phylogenetics of Teleogramma, a riverine clade of African cichlid fishes, with a description of the deep-water molluskivore —Teleogramma obama — from the lower reaches of the middle Congo River.
Stiassny, M.L.J. and Alter, S.E. (2015)
Phylogenetics of Teleogramma, a riverine clade of African cichlid fishes, with a description of the deep-water molluskivore —Teleogramma obama — from the lower reaches of the middle Congo River.
Stiassny, M.L.J. and Alter, S.E. (2015)
Phylogenetics of Teleogramma, a riverine clade of African cichlid fishes, with a description of the deep-water molluskivore —Teleogramma obama — from the lower reaches of the middle Congo River.
Stiassny, M.L.J. and Alter, S.E. (2015)
Phylogenetics of Teleogramma, a riverine clade of African cichlid fishes, with a description of the deep-water molluskivore —Teleogramma obama — from the lower reaches of the middle Congo River.
Alter, S.E., Brown, B. and Stiassny, M.L.J. (2015)
Molecular phylogenetics reveals convergent evolution in lower Congo River spiny eels
Harrison, I.J., Brummett, R. and Stiassny, M.L.J. (2016)
Congo River basin
Harrison, I.J., Brummett, R. and Stiassny, M.L.J. (2016)
Congo River basin
Harrison, I.J., Brummett, R. and Stiassny, M.L.J. (2016)
Congo River basin
Alter, S.E., Munshi-South, J. and Stiassny, M.L.J. (2017)
Genomewide SNP data reveal cryptic phylogeographic structure and microallopatric divergence in a rapids adapted clade of cichlids from the Congo River
Mahamba Byanikiro, R., Kankonda Busanga, A., Ndjaki Nsila, J. and Micha, J.-C. (2017)
Régime alimentaire et biologie de la reproduction de Stomatorhinus corneti Boulanger, 1899 (Pisces, Mormyridae)
Day, J.J., Fages, A., Brown, K.J., Vreven, E.J., Stiassny, M.L.J., Bills, R., Friel, J.P. and Ruber, L. (2017)
Multiple independent colonizations into the Congo Basin during the continental radiation of African Mastacembelus spiny eels
Day, J.J., Fages, A., Brown, K.J., Vreven, E.J., Stiassny, M.L.J., Bills, R., Friel, J.P. and Ruber, L. (2017)
Multiple independent colonizations into the Congo Basin during the continental radiation of African Mastacembelus spiny eels
Day, J.J., Fages, A., Brown, K.J., Vreven, E.J., Stiassny, M.L.J., Bills, R., Friel, J.P. and Ruber, L. (2017)
Multiple independent colonizations into the Congo Basin during the continental radiation of African Mastacembelus spiny eels
Day, J.J., Fages, A., Brown, K.J., Vreven, E.J., Stiassny, M.L.J., Bills, R., Friel, J.P. and Ruber, L. (2017)
Multiple independent colonizations into the Congo Basin during the continental radiation of African Mastacembelus spiny eels
Alter, S.E., Munshi-South, J. and Stiassny, M.L.J. (2017)
Genomewide SNP data reveal cryptic phylogeographic structure and microallopatric divergence in a rapids adapted clade of cichlids from the Congo River
Day, J.J., Fages, A., Brown, K.J., Vreven, E.J., Stiassny, M.L.J., Bills, R., Friel, J.P. and Ruber, L. (2017)
Multiple independent colonizations into the Congo Basin during the continental radiation of African Mastacembelus spiny eels
Alter, S.E., Munshi-South, J. and Stiassny, M.L.J. (2017)
Genomewide SNP data reveal cryptic phylogeographic structure and microallopatric divergence in a rapids adapted clade of cichlids from the Congo River
Alter, S.E., Munshi-South, J. and Stiassny, M.L.J. (2017)
Genomewide SNP data reveal cryptic phylogeographic structure and microallopatric divergence in a rapids adapted clade of cichlids from the Congo River
Day, J.J., Fages, A., Brown, K.J., Vreven, E.J., Stiassny, M.L.J., Bills, R., Friel, J.P. and Ruber, L. (2017)
Multiple independent colonizations into the Congo Basin during the continental radiation of African Mastacembelus spiny eels
Alter, S.E., Munshi-South, J. and Stiassny, M.L.J. (2017)
Genomewide SNP data reveal cryptic phylogeographic structure and microallopatric divergence in a rapids adapted clade of cichlids from the Congo River
Alter, S.E., Munshi-South, J. and Stiassny, M.L.J. (2017)
Genomewide SNP data reveal cryptic phylogeographic structure and microallopatric divergence in a rapids adapted clade of cichlids from the Congo River
Day, J.J., Fages, A., Brown, K.J., Vreven, E.J., Stiassny, M.L.J., Bills, R., Friel, J.P. and Ruber, L. (2017)
Multiple independent colonizations into the Congo Basin during the continental radiation of African Mastacembelus spiny eels
Alter, S.E., Munshi-South, J. and Stiassny, M.L.J. (2017)
Genomewide SNP data reveal cryptic phylogeographic structure and microallopatric divergence in a rapids adapted clade of cichlids from the Congo River
Stiassny, M.L.J., Monsembula Iyaba, R.J.C., Liyandja, T., Mbimbi Mayi Munene, J.J., Yoko, M., and Alter, E. (2018)
The evolution of extreme phenotypic convergence across fish lineages in the hyper-diverse Lower Congo River
Stiassny, M.L.J., Monsembula Iyaba, R.J.C., Liyandja, T., Mbimbi Mayi Munene, J.J., Yoko, M., and Alter, E. (2018)
The evolution of extreme phenotypic convergence across fish lineages in the hyper-diverse Lower Congo River
Stiassny, M.L.J., Monsembula Iyaba, R.J.C., Liyandja, T., Mbimbi Mayi Munene, J.J., Yoko, M., and Alter, E. (2018)
The evolution of extreme phenotypic convergence across fish lineages in the hyper-diverse Lower Congo River
Stiassny, M.L.J., Monsembula Iyaba, R.J.C., Liyandja, T., Mbimbi Mayi Munene, J.J., Yoko, M., and Alter, E. (2018)
The evolution of extreme phenotypic convergence across fish lineages in the hyper-diverse Lower Congo River
Stiassny, M.L.J., Monsembula Iyaba, R.J.C., Liyandja, T., Mbimbi Mayi Munene, J.J., Yoko, M., and Alter, E. (2018)
The evolution of extreme phenotypic convergence across fish lineages in the hyper-diverse Lower Congo River
Schedel, F.D.B., Musilová, Z. and Schliewen, U.K. (2018)
New divergence ages provide novel insights into the biogeographic rigin of the East African Cichlid Radiation (EAR)
Stiassny, M.L.J., Monsembula Iyaba, R.J.C., Liyandja, T., Mbimbi Mayi Munene, J.J., Yoko, M., and Alter, E. (2018)
The evolution of extreme phenotypic convergence across fish lineages in the hyper-diverse Lower Congo River
Schedel, F.D.B., Musilová, Z. and Schliewen, U.K. (2018)
New divergence ages provide novel insights into the biogeographic rigin of the East African Cichlid Radiation (EAR)
Stiassny, M.L.J., Monsembula Iyaba, R.J.C., Liyandja, T., Mbimbi Mayi Munene, J.J., Yoko, M., and Alter, E. (2018)
The evolution of extreme phenotypic convergence across fish lineages in the hyper-diverse Lower Congo River
Stiassny, M.L.J., Monsembula Iyaba, R.J.C., Liyandja, T., Mbimbi Mayi Munene, J.J., Yoko, M., and Alter, E. (2018)
The evolution of extreme phenotypic convergence across fish lineages in the hyper-diverse Lower Congo River
Stiassny, M.L.J. (2019)
Fishes in the lower Congo River An extreme case of species divergence and convergent evolution
Stiassny, M.L.J. (2019)
Fishes in the lower Congo River An extreme case of species divergence and convergent evolution
Stiassny, M.L.J. (2019)
Fishes in the lower Congo River An extreme case of species divergence and convergent evolution
Stiassny, M.L.J. (2019)
Fishes in the lower Congo River An extreme case of species divergence and convergent evolution
Stiassny, M.L.J. (2019)
Fishes in the lower Congo River An extreme case of species divergence and convergent evolution
Schedel, F.D.B., Musilova, Z. and Schliewen, U.K. (2019)
East African cichlid lineages (Teleostei: Cichlidae) might be older than their ancient host lakes: new divergence estimates for the east African cichlid radiation
Stiassny, M.L.J. (2019)
Fishes in the lower Congo River An extreme case of species divergence and convergent evolution
Sonet, G., Snoeks, J., Nagy, Z.T., Vreven, E., Boden, G., Breman, F.C., Decru, E., Hanssens, M., Zamba, A.I., Jordaens, K., Mamonekene, V., Musschoot, T., Van Houdt, J., Van Steen, M. (2019)
DNA barcoding fishes from the Congo and the Lower Guinean provinces: Assembling a reference library for poorly inventoried fauna
Stiassny, M.L.J. (2019)
Fishes in the lower Congo River An extreme case of species divergence and convergent evolution
Schedel, F.D.B., Musilova, Z. and Schliewen, U.K. (2019)
East African cichlid lineages (Teleostei: Cichlidae) might be older than their ancient host lakes: new divergence estimates for the east African cichlid radiation
Stiassny, M.L.J. (2019)
Fishes in the lower Congo River An extreme case of species divergence and convergent evolution
Elbein, A. (2020)
Earth’s deepest river conceals an evolutionary mystery
Elbein, A. (2020)
Earth’s deepest river conceals an evolutionary mystery
Elbein, A. (2020)
Earth’s deepest river conceals an evolutionary mystery
Elbein, A. (2020)
Earth’s deepest river conceals an evolutionary mystery
Elbein, A. (2020)
Earth’s deepest river conceals an evolutionary mystery
Elbein, A. (2020)
Earth’s deepest river conceals an evolutionary mystery
Aardema, M.L., Stiassny, M.L.J. and Alter, S.E. (2020)
Genomic analysis of the only blind Cichlid reveals extensive inactivation in eye and pigment formation genes
Aardema, M.L., Stiassny, M.L.J. and Alter, S.E. (2020)
Genomic analysis of the only blind Cichlid reveals extensive inactivation in eye and pigment formation genes
Aardema, M.L., Stiassny, M.L.J. and Alter, S.E. (2020)
Genomic analysis of the only blind Cichlid reveals extensive inactivation in eye and pigment formation genes
Elbein, A. (2020)
Earth’s deepest river conceals an evolutionary mystery
Aardema, M.L., Stiassny, M.L.J. and Alter, S.E. (2020)
Genomic analysis of the only blind Cichlid reveals extensive inactivation in eye and pigment formation genes
Elbein, A. (2020)
Earth’s deepest river conceals an evolutionary mystery
Stiassny, M.L. and Alter, S.E. (2021)
Life in the fast lane: diversity, ecology, and speciation of cichlids in the lower Congo River
Stiassny, M.L. and Alter, S.E. (2021)
Life in the fast lane: diversity, ecology, and speciation of cichlids in the lower Congo River
Policarpo, M., Laurenti, P., García-Machado, E., Metcalfe, C., Rétaux, S. and Casane, D. (2021)
Genomic evidence that blind cavefishes are not wrecks of ancient life
Stiassny, M.L. and Alter, S.E. (2021)
Life in the fast lane: diversity, ecology, and speciation of cichlids in the lower Congo River
Stiassny, M.L. and Alter, S.E. (2021)
Life in the fast lane: diversity, ecology, and speciation of cichlids in the lower Congo River
Kurata, N.P., Hickerson, M.J., Hoffberg, S.L., Gardiner, N., Stiassny, M.L.J. and Alter, S.E. (2022)
Riverscape genomics of cichlid fishes in the lower Congo: Uncovering mechanisms of diversification in an extreme hydrological regime
Kurata, N.P., Hickerson, M.J., Hoffberg, S.L., Gardiner, N., Stiassny, M.L.J. and Alter, S.E. (2022)
Riverscape genomics of cichlid fishes in the lower Congo: Uncovering mechanisms of diversification in an extreme hydrological regime
Kurata, N.P. (2023)
Illuminating the drivers of genomic diversification in lamprologine cichlids of the lower Congo River
Wang, J., Tai, J., Zhang, W., He, K., Lan, H. and Liu, H. (2023)
Comparison of seven complete mitochondrial genomes from Lamprologus and Neolamprologus (Chordata, Teleostei, Perciformes) and the phylogenetic implications for Cichlidae
Kurata, N.P., Stiassny, M.L.J., Hickerson, M.J. and Alter, S.E. (2024)
Impacts of Quaternary climatic changes on the diversification of river ine Cichlids in the Lower Congo River