Unrelated organisms inhabiting similar environments often exhibit strikingly similar morphologies. Many members of the Order Cypriniformes (carp-like fishes) exhibit similar morphological adaptations for benthic life in fast flowing rivers (rheophilic). Due to their highly modified morphologies, evolutionary relationships of some benthic rheophiles, and members of the Indoburmese genus Psilorhynchus in particular, are unknown. This study will complete a phylogenetic analysis for Cypriniformes based on morphological and molecular data to discover evolutionary relationship of the enigmatic Psilorhynchus. The resulting hypothesis will be used to investigate evolutionary origins of a benthic rheophilic lifestyle within Cypriniformes and the origin of Psilorhynchus in the context of the biogeographic history of the Indoburmese region.
This project will provide graduate training for co-PI Conway in molecular phylogenetic techniques and expose undergraduate students to morphological techniques and phylogenetic methodology. This project will foster a greater appreciation and understanding of morphological adaptations associated with life in fast flowing water. Data generated in this study will be deposited in online databases for public access.
