Genetic and Morphological Divergence of a Circumtropical Complex of Goatfishes: Mulloidichthys vanicolensis, M. dentatus, and M. martinicus

Abstract

Allozyme and meristic data were used to compare relationships among three species of a circumtropical complex of goatfishes that are very similiar in color and morphology: Mulloidichthys vanicolensis (Valenciennes) of the Indo-Pacific, M. dentatus (Gill) of the eastern Pacific, and M. martinicus (Cuvier) of the western Atlantic. The species are distinguished by several allozyme differences as well as by gill-raker counts. Allozyme data from several widely separated populations of M. vanicolensis (including isolated islands with high endemism in other groups) suggest little genetic divergence, consistent with high levels of dispersal and gene flow. Morphological data suggest greater divergence between populations of M. vanicolensis from the western Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean than is apparent from allozyme data.