Peter B. Berendzen

Species limits and phylogeography of North American cricket frogs (Acris: Hylidae).

Cricket frogs are widely distributed across the eastern United States and two species, the northern cricket frog (Acris crepitans) and the southern cricket frog (A. gryllus) are currently recognized. We generated a phylogenetic hypothesis for Acris using fragments of nuclear and mitochondrial genes in separate and combined phylogenetic analyses. We also used distance methods and fixation indices to evaluate species limits within the genus and the validity of currently recognized subspecies of A. crepitans. The distributions of existing A. crepitans subspecies, defined by morphology and call types, do not match the distributions of evolutionary lineages recovered using our genetic data. We discuss a scenario of call evolution to explain this disparity. We also recovered distinct phylogeographic groups within A. crepitans and A. gryllus that are congruent with other codistributed taxa. Under a lineage-based species concept, we recognize Acris blanchardi as a distinct species. The importance of this revised taxonomy is discussed in light of the dramatic declines in A. blanchardi across the northern and western portions of its range.

Post-glacial expansion into the Paleozoic Plateau: evidence of an Ozarkian refugium for the Ozark minnow Notropis nubilus (Teleostei: Cypriniformes)

Genetic variation was examined within the Ozark minnow Notropis nubilus using complete mtDNA cytochrome b gene sequences from 160 individuals representing 30 localities to test hypotheses on the origin of the distribution. Phylogenetic analyses revealed three strongly supported clades of haplotypes consistent with geographic distributions: a clade from the Western Ozarks, a clade from the Southern Ozarks and a clade from the Northern Ozarks and upper Mississippi River basin. The estimated mean ages of these clades indicated that they diverged during pre-Illinoian glacial cycles extending from the late Pliocene into the early Pleistocene. Results of demographic analyses based on coalescent approaches supported the hypothesis that the Paleozoic Plateau was not a refugium for N. nubilus during periodic glacial advances. There is evidence of a genetic signature of northern expansion into the Paleozoic Plateau from a Southern Ozarkian refugium. Populations expanded out of drainages in the Northern Ozarks into the Paleozoic Plateau during the late Pleistocene. Subsequently, the two regions were isolated due to the recent extirpation of intervening populations caused by the loss of suitable habitat.

Change of eye shape during metamorphosis in two flatfishes, Paralichthys olivaceus and Solea senegalensis, with comparison of eye shape within the Pleuronectiformes

The most remarkable developmental event during metamorphosis in flatfish (Pleuronectiformes) is the migration of their eyes; one eye migrates upwards, then passes through the dorsal midline, and finally stops on the other side. In this study, we determined that the ratio of the movable eye diameter on the transverse axis (DTA) to that on the vertical axis (DVA) increased during the metamorphosis of Paralichthys olivaceus and Solea senegalensis. Based on the recently proposed hypothesis that eye migration of flatfishes is caused by the push force from the proliferated tissue of the suborbital region, we postulated that the eye shape change is a result of the same force. Measurements of eye proportions in 20 species of adult flatfishes revealed that the DTA is constantly larger than the DVA, suggesting that the mechanisms of eye shape change and eye migration driven by proliferating cells in the suborbital tissue are universal among flatfishes.

Range expansion of the invasive rusty crayfish Orconectes rusticus (Girard, 1852) (Decapoda: Astacoidea) in northeastern Iowa (USA) rivers

The rusty crayfish Orconectes rusticus (Girard, 1852) is an invasive species that has been introduced to the Upper Midwest, USA from the Ohio River Valley, and is associated with ecological damage to aquatic systems. We examined the distributions of rusty and native crayfishes in two Iowa river systems. One hundred sites were surveyed in the upper Cedar and middle Wapsipinicon river drainages from 2013 to 2014. Four native crayfish species were collected, and contrary to a study conducted in 2002, the rusty crayfish was documented in the mainstream of both systems. Analysis of sampling methods indicates that crayfish capture rates were significantly higher in cylindrical minnow traps than in flat crayfish traps. Genetic analyses confirmed field identifications and support a single introduction of the rusty crayfish in northeastern Iowa. The pervasive distribution and life history characteristics of the rusty crayfish suggest that eradication is currently not feasible. Further monitoring is warranted in order to determine its distribution throughout Iowa’s river systems.

Spatial genetic variation and habitat association of Rhinichthys cataractae , the longnose dace, in the Driftless Area of the upper Mississippi River basin

The Driftless Area of the upper Mississippi River drainage is a unique geographic region because of its complex geological history and the influence of recent, intensive human activities. The longnose dace, Rhinichthys cataractae, is a relatively common, small freshwater fish that is distributed in swift, cool streams within the region. The aim of this study was to determine the spatial genetic differentiation of the longnose dace and define the broad scale environmental variables that shape the distribution of the species in the southwestern portion of the Driftless Area. Genotypic data from seven microsatellite loci were analyzed for 276 individuals from 15 localities representing major drainages within the region in northeast Iowa. Broad scale environmental variables including hydrologic, soil, and climatic factors were evaluated to construct an ecological niche model (ENM) to predict the suitability of habitat for the species within the region. Results of the genetic analyses revealed two distinct, but somewhat admixed genetic clusters of longnose dace in Iowa. The genetic differentiation between localities and between drainages was low to moderate with some evidence of isolation by distance. Most of the variation was observed by differences between individuals within local populations. The ENM generated largely reflected the known distribution of the species in Iowa with a decreasing probability of suitable habitat from northern to southern drainages. Geologic factors played a key role in the model. The distribution and population structure of the longnose dace in the northeast Iowa revealed that isolation by distance, historical processes and the underlying geology are primarily responsible for the observed spatial distribution of genetic variation.