Meeting Abstract

17.4  Thursday, Jan. 3  The Evolutionary History of the Triggerfishes (Family Balistidae) with a Comparative Study of Fin Morphology and Mechanics DORNBURG, A.*; SANTINI, F.; SORENSON, L.; ALFARO, M.E.; Washington State University, Pullman WA; University of Toronto, Toronto Ontario; Washington State University, Pullman WA dornburgalex@yahoo.com

Here we present a novel phylogenetic hypothesis for the triggerfishes (Family: Balistidae), a charismatic group of reef fishes based on an analysis of two mitochondrial (12S, 16S) and three nuclear genes (TMO-4C4, Rhodopsin, RAG1) sampled from 28 ingroup species. Our phylogenetic results strongly support the monophyly of the triggerfishes but suggest that the genera Balistoides and Pseudobalistes are polyphyletic. Divergence time estimation supports a Miocene origin of the crown group. Despite the presence of several young species-rich subclades, statistical analysis of temporal diversification patterns reveals no significant increase in the rate of cladogenesis throughout the evolution of the balistids or across specific geologic periods. We use these estimates of divergence times to explore potential biogeographic hypotheses for several triggerfish lineages. Additionally we utilize this phylogenetic framework to test the relationship between morphological and mechanical diversification of triggerfish fins. This research is funded in part by an undergraduate fellowship in mathematics and biology to AD and by NSF DEB 0445453 to MEA.