title: Molecular phylogeny of the lemur family cheirogaleidae (primates) based on mitochondrial DNA sequences.
abstract: Cheirogaleidae currently comprises five genera whose relationships remain contentious. The taxonomic status and phylogenetic position of both Mirza coquereli and Allocebus trichotis are still unclear. The taxonomic status of the recently discovered Microcebus ravelobensis (a sympatric sibling species of Microcebus murinus) and its phylogenetic position also require further examination. A approximately 2.4-kb mitochondrial DNA sequence including part of the COIII gene, complete ND3, ND4L, and ND4 genes, and 5 tRNAs was used to clarify relationships among cheirogaleids. Mirza and Microcebus form a clade representing the sister group of Allocebus, with a clade containing Cheirogaleus major and Cheirogaleus medius diverging first. M. ravelobensis and Microcebus rufus form a subclade within Microcebus, with M. murinus as its sister group. The molecular data support the generic status of Mirza coquereli and species-level divergence of M. ravelobensis. Furthermore, "M. rufus" may well represent more than one species.
authors: Anthropologisches Institut, Universität Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Pastorini
authors: R D
authors: RD
authors: Martin
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Ehresmann
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Zimmermann
authors: M R
authors: MR
authors: Forstner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016565:Cheirogaleidae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D042967:Electron Transport Complex I; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009245:NADH Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics; D009247:NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases; D010802:Phylogeny; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; C098483:NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4; D012343:RNA, Transfer; D009247:NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases; D009245:NADH Dehydrogenase; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV; D042967:Electron Transport Complex I