12.
Systematics and Biodiversity of The Order Cypriniformes
(Actinopterygii, Ostariophysi)
– A Tree of Life Initiative.
Convener: Richard
L. Mayden, Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis,
Missouri
63103 USA
314-977-3494
voice
314-977-3658
fax
maydenrl@slu.edu
The Order
Cypriniformes is a major clade
within the Ostariophysi (Actinopterygii) and is the largest clade of
freshwater
fishes in the world with over 3200 species. Cypriniform
fishes have been variously classified
into five to six
families including Cyprinidae, Catostomidae, Gyrinocheilidae,
Cobitidae, and
Balitoridae, with the Cyprinidae containing the most species classified
into
several subfamilies. In addition to being our Planet’s most diverse
group of
freshwater fishes, this clade of fishes is of great importance in
comparative
biological studies, aquaculture, and the pet trade.
Studies on the zebra danio are key to understanding
the molecular
interactions of development, large carp have been maintained in complex
polyculture systems for thousands of years, and the goldfish is
probably the
first fish species kept as a pet. The
phylogenetic relationships of species in this order have perplexed
scientists
at least since Artedi erected one of the first scientific
classifications of
fishes, and the systematic and taxonomic “state of affairs” within the
order
can be described as ranging from being “fairly well understood” to
being
unquestionably “chaotic.” Recently, an international team of
researchers from
many countries, employing a variety of character data types, have
focused on
resolving the phylogenetic history of this important clade of fishes
and
recovering species diversity within the order. This
project has implications that reach far beyond
phylogenetic
systematics, providing context for developmental biologists,
physiologists, and
ecologists working with cypriniform fishes. This
symposium is organized to assemble researchers,
as an
internationally-based Tree of Life (AToL) initiative, interested in
participating at various levels in resolving the phylogenetic
relationships and
species diversity in the Order Cypriniformes, using varied data on
Recent and
Fossil taxa.
If you are
interested in contributing a paper
on the systematic, diversity, and/or biogeography of Cypriniformes
please
contact Richard L. Mayden at maydenrl@slu.edu
for information prior to submission of an abstract to the symposium.
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