Cytochrome b and Island speciation of the Genus Astatheros, a phylogentic study from Bocas del Toro, Panama

Two cichlid populations each found on separate islands in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, Panama were identified as members the genus Astatheros. DNA from each population was isolated and purified and the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b was used as a molecular marker. Resulting sequences were compared with already published cytochrome b sequences of Astatheros from an internet database. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the two cichlid populations were divergent from other populations of the genus and indicated that they are conspecific, despite morphological differences.