Relationships and position of the genus Neozoarces of the subfamily neozoarcinae in the system of the suborder Zoarcoidei (Pisces, Perciformes) by molecular-genetic data

Using the method of molecular-genetic analysis, we investigated the genus Neozoarces (subfamily Neozoarcinae) to reveal its relationships and position in the system of the suborder Zoacoidei. Comparison with representatives of other families of this suborder demonstrated that the lowest level of differences is observed between Neozoarces and subfamilies of the family Zoarcidae (the mean value of genetic divergence is 11.9%) with which it forms a general cluster on the phylogenetic tree. From representatives of the family Stichaeidae, Neozoarces differs at the same level (13.9%) as from the families Bathymasteridae, Pholidae, Ptilichthyidae, and Zaproridae (14.0%). The results of investigations confirm the viewpoint suggested by Makushok (1961) who included, for the first time, the subfamily Neozoarcinae to the family Zoarcidae on the basis of comparative morphological investigation of these groups. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2010.