Systematics, taxonomy, phylogeny and zoogeography of the Capoeta damascina species complex (Pisces: Teleostei: Cyprinidae) inferred from comparative morphology and molecular markers

Abstract

The Middle East is the only transition zone between three major biogeographic units, the Palaearctic, the Afrotropical and the Oriental realms. It served as an important crossroad of biotic exchange on a global scale resulting in an outstanding biological diversity, among which are freshwater fishes (DURAND et al. 2002, KRUPP et al. 2009). Freshwater fishes are very suitable for zoogeographic studies since their movement from one drainage basin to another depends on freshwater connections. Thus, their distribution patterns reflect the paleogeography of an area and the history of the hydrographic systems (COAD 1987). A good example of this phenomenon is the family Cyprinidae, whose members served as a model in many biogeographical (eg BRIOLAY et al. 1998, DURAND et al. 2000, TSIGENOPOULOS & BERREBI 2000) and molecular phylogenetic studies (eg GILLES et al. 1998, DURAND et al. 2002). While some focused on the zoogeography and molecular phylogeny of this family (eg MAYDEN et al. 2009), others analyzed specific genera, subgenera or species (eg ALMAÇA 1988, BERREBI et al. 1996, DURAND et al. 1999, TSIGENOPOULOS & BERREBI 2000), thus shedding light on the evolutionary history of this family. Capoeta Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1842 is an example of a widespread cyprinid genus in the Middle East, whose taxonomic status is largely unsettled (KRUPP & SCHNEIDER 1989).