Molecular Systematics of the Neotropical Cichlidae with an Emphasis on Middle American Cichlids

9527758新热带丽鱼是一群迷人的淡水鱼，长期以来一直吸引着专业生物学家和业余爱好者的注意。从德克萨斯州的格兰德河到南美洲南部，都可以发现新热带慈济鱼。慈鱼已经进化成各种形状和大小，在生态上类似于北美的大口鲈鱼、蓝鳍金枪鱼，以及被称为飞镖的敏捷的爱水的海底鱼类。慈济鱼在鱼类中是独一无二的，因为它们建造巢，照顾它们的幼崽，并保卫领土。这些特征也使慈鱼受到水族馆爱好者的欢迎；人们熟悉的水族馆品种包括杰克·邓普西、火嘴、阿兹特克、奥斯卡、神仙鱼和铁饼。不幸的是，尽管新热带慈济鱼具有广泛的吸引力，但我们对这些物种之间的关系仍然知之甚少。本研究的主要目的是利用DNA测序技术研究新热带慈济鱼的亲缘关系。通过实际测序来自新热带叶蝉属物种代表的几个基因的部分，我们希望构建一棵描述它们之间关系的树。了解新热带丽鱼的关系将使生物学家能够了解各种形态变异是如何进化的，并为未来的生态和行为研究提供重要的框架。此外，我们的工作可能会为改善鱼缸行业的鱼群提供有用的信息。

9527758 LYDEARD Neotropical cichlids are a group of fascinating freshwater fishes that have long attracted the attention of professional biologists and hobbyists alike. Neotropical cichlids are found from the Rio Grande in Texas to southern South America. Cichlids have evolved into a variety of shapes and sizes that are ecoloeically similar to North America's largemouth bass, bluegill, and rapid water-loving, bottom-dwelling fish called darters. Cichlids are unique among fish in that they build nests, care for their young, and defend territories. These features have also made cichlids popular with aquarium hobbyists; familiar aquarium varieties include the Jack Dempsey, firemouth, Aztec, oscar, angelfish, and discus. Unfortunately, despite the widespread appeal of Neotropical cichlids, we still know very little about the relationships among these species. The primary objective of this research is to examine the relationships of Neotropical cichlids using DNA sequencing technology. By actually sequencing portions of several genes from representatives of Neotropical cichlid species, we expect to construct a tree depicting their relationships to one another. Understanding the relationships of Neotropical cichlids will enable biologists to learn how the various morphological varieties evolved and provide an important framework for future ecological and behavioral studies. In addition, our work may provide useful information for improving cichlid stocks for the aquarium trade.