In addition to its wide geographical distribution, osteoglossiform fishes represent one of the most ancient freshwater teleost lineages; making it an important group for systematic and evolutionary studies. These fishes had a Gondwanan origin and their past distribution may have contributed to the diversity present in this group. However, cytogenetic and genomic data are still scarce, making it difficult to track evolutionary trajectories within this order. In addition, their wide distribution, with groups endemic to different continents, hinders an integrative study that allows a globalized view of its evolutionary process. Here, we performed a detailed chromosomal analysis in Notopteridae fishes, using conventional and advanced molecular cytogenetic methods. Moreover, the genetic distances of examined species were assessed by genotyping using diversity arrays technology sequencing (DArTseq). These data provided a clear picture of the genetic diversity between African and Asian Notopteridae species, and were highly consistent with the chromosomal, geographical, and historical data, enlightening their evolutionary diversification. Here, we discuss the impact of continental drift and split of Pangea on their recent diversity, as well as the contribution to biogeographical models that explain their distribution, highlighting the role of the Indian subcontinent in the evolutionary process within the family.

Departamento de Biologia Estrutural Molecular e Genética Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa Ponta Grossa PR 84030 900 Brazil

Departamento de Genética e Evolução Universidade Federal de São Carlos Rodovia Washington Luiz Km 235 C P 676 São Carlos SP 13565 905 Brazil

Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Adamawa State University P M B 25 Mubi Adamawa State Nigeria

Diversity Arrays Technology University of Canberra Bruce Australian Capital Territory Canberra ACT 2617 Australia

Institute for Applied Ecology University of Canberra Canberra ACT 2617 Australia

Institute of Human Genetics University Hospital Jena 07747 Jena Germany

Institute of Oceanography National Taiwan University Roosevelt Road Taipei 10617 Taiwan

Laboratory of Fish Genetics Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics Czech Academy of Sciences Rumburská 89 277 21 Liběchov Czech Republic

Toxic Substances in Livestock and Aquatic Animals Research Group KhonKaen University Muang KhonKaen 40002 Thailand

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