Reconciling molecules and morphology: Molecular systematics and biogeography of Neotropical blennies (Acanthemblemaria)

► Molecular and morphological phylogenies conflicted with one another. ► Head spines have evolved repeatedly, causing conflict between phylogenies. ► Suites of correlated characters produce the skull phenotypes found in these fishes. ► A mid-Miocene origin for the genus was recovered. ► Speciation occurred almost entirely within present-day ocean basins.