Species concepts and speciation of fishes: concluding remarks

The definition of the species category has stimulated more debate than perhaps any other topic in the biological sciences. There are currently more than 22 different species concepts and the debate continues on which concepts apply to all organisms, which concepts are operational and which concepts should be used in specific circumstances. The first major division of the types of concepts depends on whether one views species as constructs that exist for ordering biodiversity and information retrieval (i.e. classes), or views species as ontological individuals that exist in nature. If species are categories that can be defined, then theoretically, a single species can arise more than once in different places or at different times. If, on the other hand, species are individuals, then they are historical events, monophyletic and each species is unique.     

Parallel speciation, despeciation and respeciation: implications for species definition

Can the same species arise more than once in different places or at different times? Can a species go extinct by hybridization? If so, can it reappear afterwards? Biologists are used to thinking about species as historical events. They arise once (speciation), exist for a certain time (undergoing stasis or anagenetic change) and then disappear (extinction). Some people even like to think of them as ‘individuals’, although, whether the use of the technical philosophical definition of this word is helpful to many biologists, is perhaps debatable. By and large, our observations of real animal species are not at all incompatible with these ideas. But, recent studies on fishes are suggesting that we may need to rethink our views of the life of a species to include the concepts of parallel speciation, despeciation and respeciation.The ideas I discuss in this paper are not necessarily new, but many fish biologists, like myself, may not have found any particular reason to consider them until recently. There is a very large literature on species concepts, and in a short opinion piece, I could scarcely attempt to do justice to the breadth of the debate or the complexity of the arguments raised. I will focus on issues relating to practical implications of species concepts that have to come to my attention as a fish biologist working on evolutionary questions.     

Species concepts: the basis for controversy and reconciliation

Some of the disputes about species concepts can be resolved through clarification of the conceptual issues. Others are intractable because incompatible preferences are being optimized. According to the current biological consensus species (taxa) are populations rendered cohesive by sex. The philosophical consensus has it that the species and other categories are (abstract) classes, whereas particular species and other taxa are (concrete) individuals (in the ontological sense). Natural kinds are classes that have the properties they do because of laws of nature. Individuals such as species and clades owe their properties to history, not laws of nature; they are not kinds at all and calling them natural kinds is, therefore, grossly misleading. Having the species of taxonomy be equivalent to the species of evolutionary theory facilitates the integration of history and laws of nature within biology. Efforts to define the species category on the basis of similarity create misleading impressions about the laws and mechanisms of speciation processes. A diversity of incompatible species concepts (pluralism) is undesirable because the various kinds of units that are called ‘species’ differ with respect to the underlying laws of nature that make them natural kinds.     

On biological species, species concepts and individuation in the natural world

I am a realist and argue that biological species exist in nature. I also argue that the validity of findings of the many disciplines within the natural sciences employing biological species in their endeavours of inquiry are unequivocally linked to the accuracy of the species used in experiments. Few scientists today see the fundamental importance of taxonomic and systematic studies in both addressing accuracy of diversity and the delineation of species diversity for other areas of science. The basic controversial issues in the debate revolve around opinions regarding the nature of species as either Individuals or Classes, confusion of Species as a taxonomic category and as entities in nature, the varied practitioners studying diversity, a general lack of a Lineage perspective and a gross chauvinistic perspective on the types of data worthy of exposing and delineating diversity. I argue that species in nature are Individuals and form Lineages. As Individuals, they cannot be defined but can only be diagnosed in time. The category Species is a Class with a definition. The difficulties realised by scientists studying biodiversity in ‘defining’ a species hinges upon the fact that as natural entities they cannot be defined. Recognizing and understanding the origins of characters in species is further complicated if one views species in nature as Classes and lacks an appreciation for the Lineage and the origin and retention of traits through time. This forms an interesting paradox that many scientists have fallen victim to wherein species are viewed as Classes (hence definable, but immutable) yet are used to understand the process of descent that involves lineages and Individuals! The pre‐Darwinian Class perspective of species, combined with a common chauvinistic perspective on characters ultimately delays progress and places a ‘glass ceiling’ on species diversity for planet Earth. One resolution to the species and species concept issue is to view the concepts in a hierarchical manner of primary (theoretical) and secondary (operational) concepts. Interestingly, the issue of Individuals versus Classes for naturally occurring entities is much more widespread and exists in many other scientific fields. Thus, a hierarchical perspective of having a primary, nonoperational concept for natural entities and multiple operational concepts serving as ‘tools’ for discovering natural things consistent with the primary concept is a heuristic methodology that is applicable to the advancement of many areas of science.     

Imperilled species in aquatic ecosystems: emerging threats,management and future prognoses

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黄河口及其邻近水域浮游动物群落结构特征及其季节变化

根据2013年8月、10月和2014年2月、5月在黄河口及其邻近水域4个航次的调查数据,分析了该海域浮游动物的种类组成、数量变动、优势种、种类多样性及其季节变化。本次黄河口及其邻近水域调查共鉴定浮游动物43种,其中原生动物、毛颚动物、尾索动物和栉水母各1种,刺胞动物8种,浮游甲壳类18种,浮游幼体及鱼卵、仔稚鱼共13种(类)。浮游动物的平均丰度为2115.64 ind/m~3,不计夜光虫的平均丰度为95.93 ind/m~3,其中浮游甲壳类占71.43%。浮游动物丰度存在显著的季节变化,数量高峰出现在春季(5月),其次为冬季(2月)、秋季(10月)和夏季(8月)。毛颚动物强壮箭虫(Sagitta crassa)和双刺纺锤水蚤(Acartia bipinnata)、小拟哲水蚤(Paracalanus parvus)等桡足类为夏、秋、冬三个季节的主要优势种,夜光虫(Noctiluca scintillans)为春季的绝对优势种。浮游动物群落物种丰富度指数(D)、Shannon-Wiener指数(H')和均匀度指数(J')的变化趋势一致,表现为夏秋季高,冬春季低。黄河口及其邻近水域浮游动物的群落结构特征具有明显的季节变化;桡足类和浮游幼体是主要类群,对该水域浮游动物的数量变动及种类多样性的变化具有较大影响。     

Ocean warming alters species abundance patterns and increases species diversity in an African sub‐tropical reef‐fish community

The impacts of ocean warming resulting from recent climate change on the abundance patterns of marine species have been well documented in temperate seas of the northern hemisphere, but the impacts of a widening tropical belt are largely unexplored. Using measurements of sea surface temperature and spear‐fishing records for 84 species spanning a 19‐yr period, we examined the effects of ocean warming on a sub‐tropical reef‐fish community on the southeastern coast of Africa. Corresponding with a 0.46°C increase in average sea surface temperature between the time periods 1989–97 and 2002–2007, the ratio of species showing an overall decrease/ no change/increase in abundance was 1 : 3 : 2 among six species at the northern limits of their distribution in the region (temperate species), 1 : 15 : 6 among 22 broadly distributed species, and 1 : 5 : 9 among 15 species at the southern limits of their distribution (tropical species). Also, the relative abundance of temperate species as a whole decreased by 10–13% whereas that of tropical species increased by 9%, and broadly distributed species showed little change. Average species richness and diversity increased 33 and 15% respectively between the two time periods. These results are broadly consistent with a predicted poleward shift in species ranges and a predicted increase in species richness and diversity with increasing sea temperature. Our findings confirm that large‐scale climate change causing a widening of the tropical belt and subsequent ocean warming is having a profound impact on marine species abundance patterns and community composition at a local scale in the sub‐tropics.     

Habitat associations of invertebrates in reedbeds,with implications for management

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Heads you win,tails you lose: Life‐history traits predict invasion and extinction risk of the world's freshwater fishes

1. Freshwater fishes have the distinction of being both a highly imperilled taxonomic group as well as one that has produced many invasive species with widespread ecological impacts. Faced with the difficult task of identifying those species with the greatest need for management action, ecologists have turned to using predictive suites of ecological and life‐history traits to provide reasonable estimates of fish invasion and extinction risk. Whether traits associated with invasiveness are the inverse of those associated with imperillment, known as the ‘two‐sides‐of‐the‐same‐coin’ hypothesis, remains unclear.
2. A global trait analysis (including maximum total body size, longevity, size at maturation, age at maturation, fecundity and egg size) for 6293 freshwater fishes was conducted to examine the trait correlates of species proneness to invasion or extinction. A meta‐analytical procedure was deployed using univariate and multivariate trait analyses that accounted for the effects of shared phylogeny.
3. Mean trait differences (measured as Hedges' d effect size) were found between invasive and threatened species when compared with native species, thus supporting the two‐sides‐of‐the‐same‐coin hypothesis for freshwater fish. Invasive species were characterized by larger body size, greater longevity, delayed maturation and higher fecundity than threatened species. Furthermore, invasive species were found to display greater trait variability compared with threatened species, suggesting that different traits may be selected at different stages of the invasion process (from pathway entrainment to establishment) whereas more specific trait combinations may predispose species to higher extinction risk.
4. The present study demonstrated a strong trait basis to global‐scale invasion risk and extinction vulnerability for freshwater fishes. Given that both time and resources are too limited for detailed species‐by‐species assessments, the results suggest that trait correlates provide a reasonable estimate of invasion and extinction risk that can inform more targeted and proactive conservation strategies.

     

On species and speciation with reference to the fishes

The nature of species and the processes in which they participate are subjects of continuing debate among evolutionary biologists. I begin by examining how ichthyologists treat species empirically. Such treatments provide a pattern of species and their relationships over time and space. I suggest that this empirical record points to a predominant mode of speciation: vicariant, Model I, allopatric speciation. I also suggest that species are real and that they are individuals. There is a single species concept, the evolutionary species concept (ESC), that best captures the way we think about fish species. This concept is also well integrated with the manner in which species are treated in Phylogenetic Systematics and with the philosophical concept that species are particulars rather than universals.     

中国渔业生物DNA条形码信息平台构建及应用

构建DNA条形码数据信息系统是规范管理DNA条形码数据和实现数据共享的有效解决方案。项目在采集我国重要渔业生物的凭证标本及相应DNA条形码的基础上,通过统一提交数据的规范格式,实现物种、凭证标本和DNA条形码的三级关联,构建了中国渔业生物DNA条形码信息平台(http://www.fishery-barcode.cn)。该平台数据信息由物种名录数据库、凭证标本数据库和DNA条形码数据库组成,涵盖6020种渔业生物的凭证信息和DNA条形码资源。平台能够提供方便的网络查询,实现未知渔业生物样本的DNA条形码物种鉴定。研究首次构建涵盖我国重要渔业生物的DNA条形码信息平台,通过平台实现国内外数据共享和合作交流,为渔业生物分类、种质资源利用、濒危物种保护和水产品物种物种鉴定提供重要数据资源。     

Gambusia holbrooki,the ‘tadpolefish’: The impact of its predatory behaviour on four protected species of European amphibians

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南沙群岛西南陆架区底拖网主要经济渔获种类组成和数量变动

根据1993-2002年南海区3省市渔业公司在南沙群岛西南陆架区底拖网的生产资料和渔业资源调查资料，分析了底拖网主要渔获种类组成和数量变动。结果表明，底拖网渔获种类组成基本相同，主要渔获经济种类有20多种，以蛇鲻属（Synodidae）、大眼鲷属（Priacanthidae）等底层鱼类为主，占总渔获物的70．9％。经济鱼类资源渔获率有明显的年间变动。底层鱼类资源除蛇鲻属和大眼鲷属外，其他种类如石斑鱼属（Serranidae）、鲱鲤属（Mullidae）、红笛鲷（L．sanguineus）、黄鳍马面纯（T．xanthopterus）、刺鲳（Psenopsis anomala）等波动很大，而中上层鱼类资源和头足类资源则相对稳定。分析认为捕捞是引起经济鱼类资源数量变动的主要原因。     

Status of galaxiid fishes in Tasmania,Australia: conservation listings,threats and management issues

• 1. Fish of the family Galaxiidae are restricted to the southern hemisphere where they occupy a diverse array of habitats ranging from over 2000 m in elevation to sea level. Some species are diadromous and, hence, freshwater, estuarine and marine habitats are used during their life‐cycle; other species complete their entire life‐cycles in freshwater environments.
• 2. Tasmania has a diverse galaxiid fauna that accounts for 64% of native freshwater fish species found on the island. The Tasmanian galaxiid fauna is characterized by high species richness (5 genera and 16 species), endemism (11 species), restricted distributions, and non‐diadromous life histories (11 species).
• 3. The galaxiid fauna of Tasmania has significant conservation status with 69% of species considered ‘threatened’. The conservation status of the fauna is recognized at State, national and international levels.
• 4. The key threats to galaxiids in Tasmania are exotic species, hydrological manipulations, restricted distributions, general habitat degradation and exploitation of stocks.
• 5. Although work has recently been undertaken to conserve and manage Tasmanian galaxiid populations, the fauna is still thought to be imperilled. Knowledge gaps that need to be addressed include the biology and ecology of most species (e.g. reproductive biology, life histories, habitat use and requirements) and impacts of habitat manipulations, as well as mechanisms and impacts of interactions with exotic species. Techniques to monitor accurately the status of galaxiid species and their populations need to be developed and the coexistence of some galaxiids with introduced salmonids should also be examined.

Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

三都澳大型底栖动物种类组成特点

根据2009年5月至2010年2月期间共9个航次在三都澳水域采集的底泥样品,分析三都澳大型底栖动物种类组成特点及其与养殖活动之间的关系.结果表明,三都澳水域底泥样品中共出现大型底栖动物119种,其中多毛类动物种类数量优势明显,达65种,占总种类数54.62％；甲壳动物和软体动物也是此水域常见类群,种类数分别为21种(占...     

Quantifying morphological and genetic variation of sympatric populations to guide conservation of endangered,micro‐endemic springsnails

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隆头鱼科分类学研究进展

隆头鱼科是体形最为分化、体色最为多变的一个类群,其所包含的种类数位居海洋鱼类第2位。尽管经历了260多年的分类研究,隆头鱼科在分类单元和物种鉴定方面仍存在许多争论和疑问。回顾了隆头鱼科分类学发展史,总结了系统发育学的研究成果,描述了隆头鱼科关键分类特征和基础生物学,概述了几个分类较为复杂的主要属的研究进展,根据分子系统发育,推测几个主要属为复系群,是颌骨摄食功能进化导致种间显著遗传分化的结果。同时,参考1750—2017年期间的文献资料,考证和修订了中国隆头鱼的同物异名和错误命名,厘定中国隆头鱼科有38属150种,并提出我国需要广泛深入的开展隆头鱼科物种的普查和鉴定研究工作及利用分子生物学技术开展隆头鱼亲缘地理学的研究建议,为隆头鱼的起源、物种多样性、分布格局成因以及在海洋生态系统中的功能研究提供基础数据及理论研究参考。     

Longitudinal variation in fish species composition in the Angabanga river, Papua New Guinea with observations on the trophic status of certain fish species

Abstract– Longitudinal variation in fish species composition at various sites on the Angabanga river showed an increase in diversity from source to mouth and that only a few fish species occur at all sites. The fish assemblage of floodplain pool areas contained fewer species than the main channel and was dominated by two exotic species Oreochrornis mossambicus (Peters 1852) and Trichoguster pectoralis (Regan 1910). Most native fish species utilize invertebrates as a food source. The absence of indigenous detritus/substrate feeders in the Angabanga community may account in part for the success of the two introduced species on the floodplain.     

Validation of environmental DNA (eDNA) as a detection tool for at‐risk freshwater pearly mussel species (Bivalvia: Unionidae)

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三峡库区干流鱼类资源现状与物种多样性保护

为掌握三峡库区干流现有鱼类种类组成和物种多样性状况,2013-2015年在三峡库区干流涪陵、云阳、巫山和秭归4个江段开展渔获物调查,分析了该区域的鱼类资源现状及物种多样性。结果表明,调查期间共收集到鱼类84种,隶属于5目、13科,以鲤形目和鲇形目为主,其中包括厚颌鲂(Megalobrama pellegrini)、岩原鲤(Procypris rabaudi)、圆口铜鱼(Coreius guichenoti)等12种长江上游特有鱼类,鱼类种类数没有显著变化;多样性分析显示,以相对重要性指数(IRI)大于2%为标准,三峡库区鱼类群落优势种共15种,其中飘鱼(Pseudolaubuca sinensis)和黑尾歺又鱼(Hemiculter nigromarginis)的优势度最高。渔获物调查表明,三峡库区日平均单船产量为8.93kg;鱼类群落的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H)和Simpson优势度指数(D)呈现逐年增加趋势。基于本调查结果,提出了栖息地恢复、严格控制捕捞强度等措施,以保护三峡库区干流的鱼类多样性。