| A phylogenetic analysis of 115 osteological and meristic characteristics of 41 taxa of ostariophysan fishes is presented and hypotheses of relationships among representatives of the North American genus Notropis and other members of suborder Cyprinoidei are proposed.; Terminal taxa within the genus Notropis are hypothesized to be a monophyletic group and to be in the subfamily Leuciscinae. As used here, the Leuciscinae includes three groups: notropine (North American), leuciscine (Eurasian), and opsariichthyine (Asian).; Among the species of Notropis examined, four subgenera are recognized: Lythrurus, Cyprinella, Notropis, and Pteronotropis. Six synapomorphies distinguish the subgenus Pteronotropis as a monophyletic group. It is composed of three species, Notropis hypselopterus, Notropis euryzonus, and Notropis signipinnis. The hypothesis by Mayden (1986) that the Pteronotropis species form the sister-group to all species of Notropis is rejected. Rather, the subgenus Lythrurus is the sister-group to other Notropis species. The genus Notropis, composed of several morphologically diverse groups, should be preserved until comprehensive character information fully resolves the interrelationships among its species and warrants its dismemberment.; The phylogenetic relationships among the species of Notropis in this study are consistent with the drainage evolution of major river systems in the central and eastern United States. The Mississippi River basin is hypothesized to be the center of dispersion and adaptive radiation for the genus Notropis.; Seven families (Gyrinocheilidae, Catostomidae, Psilorhynchidae, Homalopteridae, Cobitidae, Botiidae, and Cyprinidae) of the Cyprinoidei are each recognized as monophyletic groups. Thirteen subfamilies (Abbottinae, Gobioninae, Chondrostominae, Tincinae, Schizothoracinae, Acheilognathinae, Barbinae, Rasborinae (= Danioinae), Rhodeinae, Notemigoninae, Hypophthalmichthyinae, Cyprininae, and Leuciscinae) and one species-group (Leucogobio species-complex) of Cyprinidae are recognized as monophyletic groups.; Potential use of the hypotheses in the verification of phylogenies and their application in the determinations of the taxonomic position of anomalous forms is discussed, and comments on the concepts of primitive cyprinoids are presented. |
