Which is the dispersal route of the ancient Atlantic eels: reanalysis of the phylogeny of freshwater eels

[[abstract]]Recent molecular studies for the freshwater eels, the genus Anguilla, have revealed that the traditional systematics based on the morphological features is not appropriate. Nevertheless, the arguments regarding the dispersal route of the ancient Atlantic eels have not been brought into a conclusion either. In this study, we gathered all published Anguilliformes sequences and reanalyze the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Anguilla. The monophyletic clade with A. mossambica and Atlantic eels, main basis of the Tethys Seaway hypothesis, is not supported by any analyses. The final result confirms the realistic Central American gateway scenario, and also proposes the probability of the existence of a new Anguilla species in the genetic view.[[fileno]]2050137010006[[department]]生科