Revision of Cyclopsetta and phylogenetic analysis of Cyclopsetta and Syacium (Pleuronectiformes: Paralichthyidae)

Abstract

The genus Cyclopsetta Gill, 1889 was reviewed and four species were recognised: C. chittendeni Bean, 1895 and C. fimbriata (Goode and Bean 1886) from the Atlantic coast of North and South America including Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea; C. panamensis (Steindachner 1875) and C. querna (Jordan and Bollman 1890) from the Pacific coast of North and South America. A first cladistic analysis of Cyclopsetta and Syacium was conducted at the species level using morphological data. The result showed that each genus is monophyletic. Cyclopsetta is divided into two subgenera: Cyclopsetta comprises C. chittendeni and C. fimbriata and Azevia comprises C. panamensis and C. querna. Syacium longidorsale is the first species to branch off the ancestor followed, subsequently, by S. ovale, S. gunteri and S. maculiferum. S. latifrons and S. papillosum are sister species which together form a trichotomy with S. guineensis and S. micrurum.