Mitochondrial COII gene sequences provide new insights into the phylogeny of marmoset species groups (Callitrichidae, Primates).
Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase II (COII) gene sequences (549 base pairs) were used to investigate the taxonomic relationships among 12 marmoset (Callithrix, Cebuella and Mico) taxa. A large number of substitutions were found in the third base codon positions, providing a strong phylogenetic signal in a gene coding a conserved protein. Despite the significant affinity between the 2 Amazonian genera Cebuella and Mico, found in recent molecular studies, the analysis presented here did not resolve convincingly the phylogenetic relationships between the 3 genera. Mico nevertheless formed 3 distinct clades, reflecting a basic division of species groups based on geographic distribution (east or west of the Rio Tapajós) rather than morphology (presence or absence of auricular hair). This supports the taxonomic distinction of the allopatric emiliae forms. In Callithrix, Callithrix aurita forms a distinct clade, but the remaining morphotypes form a somewhat contradictory cluster, possibly resulting from an extremely rapid radiation.
Sena
Leonardo
L
DNA Polymorphism Laboratory, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil. sena@interconect.com.br
Vallinoto
Marcelo
M
Sampaio
Iracilda
I
Schneider
Horacio
H
Ferrari
Stephen F
SF
Schneider
Maria Paula Cruz
MP
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002143:Callitrichinae / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D011157:Population Dynamics; D016415:Sequence Alignment
D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV