Phylogenetic Relationships of Fifteen Species of Cypriinids (Teleostei) of Sri Lanka, Based on Biochemical and Morphological Characters

Abstract

Phylogenetic relationships for tifteen species of Sri Lankan Cyprinids were revealed by the cladistic analysis of separate and combined biochemical and morphological characters. Different data sets yeilded different c1adograms. The consences of c1adograms based on biochemical data conflict with the existing c1assif ication of subfamilies and include few Cyprinine species with Rasboranine species in one clad. The consences of c1adograms based on morphology favour the existing classification of sub families and include Cyprinine species and Rasboranine species in seperate clads. Despite these differences both c1adograms favour the close relationship of some species. Both c1adograms indicate that, P. nigrofasciatus, P. Cumingi and P. bimaculatus have a common origin and are closely related. Both data sets and the combine date favour that the four rasboranine species, Rasbora daniconius, Rasbora vaterifloris, Amblypharyngodon melettinus and Danio malabaricus have a common origin and are closely related.