Two new deep-reef basslets (Teleostei, Grammatidae,Lipogramma), with comments on the eco-evolutionary relationships of the genus.
The banded basslet,Lipogramma evidesRobins & Colin, 1979, is shown to comprise two species:Lipogramma evides, which inhabits depths of 133-302 m, and a new species described here asLipogramma levinsoni, which inhabits depths of 108-154 m and previously was considered to represent the juvenile ofLipogramma evides. A second new species of banded basslet, described here asLipogramma haberi, inhabits depths of 152-233 m and was previously not reported in the literature. Morphologically, the three species differ in color patterns and modal numbers of gill rakers, whereas various other morphological features distinguishLipogramma levinsonifromLipogramma evidesandLipogramma haberi. DNA barcode data and multilocus, coalescent-based, species-delimitation analysis support the recognition of the three species. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear genetic data supports a sister-group relationship between the two deepest-living of the three species,Lipogramma evidesandLipogramma haberi, and suggests that the shallowerLipogramma levinsoniis more closely related toLipogramma anabantoidesBöhlke, 1960, which inhabits depths < 120 m. Evolutionary relationships withinLipogrammathus appear to be correlated with species depth ranges, an eco-evolutionary pattern that has been observed in other Caribbean marine teleosts and that warrants further investigation. The new species represent the eleventh and twelfth new fish species described in recent years from exploratory submersible diving in the Caribbean in the globally poorly studied depth zone of 50-300 m. This study suggests that there are at least two additional cryptic species ofLipogramma, which are being analyzed in ongoing investigations of Caribbean deep-reef ecosystems.
Department of Vertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560.
Carole C
CC
Baldwin
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Republic of Panama.
D Ross
DR
Robertson
Department of Vertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560.
Ai
A
Nonaka
Department of Vertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560.
Luke
L
Tornabene
Manned submersible; Smithsonian Deep Reef Observation Project (DROP); cryptic species; integrative taxonomy; ocean exploration; phylogeny