Phylogenetic relationships of esocoid fishes (Teleostei) based on partial cytochrome b and 16S mitochondrial DNA sequences

The phylogenetic systematics of esocoid fishes are examined using compariso ns of partial DNA sequences of the mitochondrial genes coding for the trans membrane protein cytochrome b and the 16S RNA ribosomal subunit, Nucleotide sequences from all species of umbrids, three species of esocids, and salmo nid, osmerid, cypriniform, and neoteleostean outgroups were compared to det ermine patterns of molecular evolution and uncover evidence of phylogenetic relationships, Multiple sequence alignments for each of the two DNA region s examined were used to characterize the amount and type of change shown by the data. The sequences were analyzed under different models of molecular evolution using maximum-parsimony and maximun-likelihood optimality criteri a of phylogenetic reconstruction, The phylogenetic analyses revealed previo usly undiscovered affinities between species of umbrids and esocids that im ply the paraphyly of the Umbridae as currently defined. The following set o f esocoid interrelationships is proposed: (((EsoX Novumbra), Dallia), Umbra ). Esocoid classification is revised based on present findings.