Phylogenetic relationships between 21 species of three tilapiine genera <i>Tilapia, Sarotherodon</i> and <i>Oreochromis</i> using allozyme data

Abstract

With the aim of detecting speciation events in Tilapia sensu lato , 24 enzyme loci were studied in eleven species of the genus Tilapia , four species fo the genus Sarotherodon , five species fo the genus Oreochromis and five other species belonging to similar genera ( Pelmatochromis, Chilochromis, Tylochromis, Hemichromis and Chromidotilapia ). The phylogenetic trees obtained show a clustering of species (except for Sarotherodon melanotheron ) according to their genera, i.e. Tilapia, Sarotherodon or Orechromis , which confirms the systematics adopted by Trewavas. The phylogenetic trees obtained by rooting with species belonging to similar genera confirm the hypothesis that mouthbrooders ( Sarotherodon and Oreochromis ) have a single origin, i.e. egg layers ( Tilapia ), and negate the hypothesis of multiple speciation of Peters and Berns.