[Phylogenetic relationships of Nemacheilidae cavefish ( Heminoemacheilus , Oreonectes , Yunnanilus , Paranemachilus , and Troglonectes ) revealed by analysis of mitochondrial genome and seven nuclear genes].

Cave loaches within the family Nemacheilidae are among the most diverse group of cavefish in southwestern China. Although certain species have been included in previous phylogenetic studies, the intergeneric and interspecific relationships of Chinese cave loaches in Nemacheilidae remain poorly investigated due to insufficient sampling. In this study, a total of 45 samples from 37 recognized species and two unidentified species of cave loaches were collected, accounting for 87.5% of the eight recognized genera of cave loaches within the family Nemacheilidae in China. The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) and seven nuclear genes were sequenced, and the phylogenetic tree of Chinese cave loaches was reconstructed. Both Bayesian inference and maximum-likelihood analyses resolved the phylogenetic relationships at the generic and species levels, suggesting the effectiveness of this multilocus marker system in determining phylogenetic relationships in Chinese cave loaches. Phylogenetic analysis not only confirmed previous taxonomic hypotheses based on morphological data but also provided new insights into the relationships of many cave loaches at the genus and species levels as well as suggestions for the current taxonomy of cave loaches within the family Nemacheilidae.