Clarifying species boundaries between bocachico (Prochilodus magdalenae) and bocachico de Maracaibo (Prochilodus reticulatus) (characiformes: Prochilodontidae) using complete mitochondrial genomes

TL;DR

This study uses complete mitochondrial genomes to clarify the species boundaries between two types of bocachico fish, showing they are distinct and not a single species.

Contribution

The study provides three complete mitochondrial genomes and phylogenetic analyses that resolve species boundaries in Prochilodus.

Findings

Phylogenetic analyses using complete mitogenomes show Prochilodus magdalenae and Prochilodus reticulatus are distinct clades.

Bayesian time-calibrated analysis estimates their divergence at approximately 6.9 million years ago.

Sequence mislabeling due to morphological similarity is identified as a source of inconsistency in prior studies.

Abstract

The accurate phylogenetic distinction between Prochilodus magdalenae and Prochilodus reticulatus (Characiformes: Prochilodontidae) has been hindered by overlapping morphology and limited sequence data. Previous studies, relying on partial mitochondrial markers, have even suggested that Prochilodus magdalenae and Prochilodus reticulatus might be a single species. This study presents three annotated complete mitochondrial genomes for P. reticulatus and phylogenetic analyses that contribute to resolving uncertainty around these species’ boundaries. Our phylogenetic reconstructions, using both mitochondrial markers and complete mitogenomes, consistently support the segregation of P. magdalenae and P. reticulatus into distinct clades. Bayesian time-calibrated analysis estimates their divergence at approximately 6.9 mya (10.2–4.2 mya), coinciding with the Andean Eastern Cordillera’s final uplift. This study provides essential data for future taxonomic and conservation efforts. Our findings clarify the phylogenetic relationship between these species, emphasizing the utility of complete mitogenomes and demonstrating that sequence mislabeling, probably caused by the difficulty of accurately identifying these species based on morphological characteristics, has contributed to inconsistencies in previous phylogenetic studies within the genus Prochilodus.

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