title: Molecular phylogeny of the speciose vole genus Microtus (Arvicolinae, Rodentia) inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences.
abstract: Voles of the genus Microtus represent one of the most speciose mammalian genera in the Holarctic. We established a molecular phylogeny for Microtus to resolve contentious issues of systematic relationships and evolutionary history in this genus. A total of 81 specimens representing ten Microtus species endemic to Europe as well as eight Eurasian, six Asian and one Holarctic species were sequenced for the entire cytochrome b gene (1140 bp). A further 25 sequences were retrieved from GenBank, providing data on an additional 23, mainly Nearctic, Microtus species. Phylogenetic analysis of these 48 species generated four well-supported monophyletic lineages. The genus Chionomys, snow voles, formed a distinct and well-supported lineage separate from the genus Microtus. The subgenus Microtus formed the strongest supported lineage with two sublineages displaying a close relationship between the arvalis species group (common voles) and the socialis species group (social voles). Monophyly of the Palearctic pitymyid voles, subgenus Terricola, was supported, and this subgenus was also subdivided into two monophyletic species groups. Together, these groupings clarify long-standing taxonomic uncertainties in Microtus. In addition, the "Asian" and the Nearctic lineages reported previously were identified although the latter group was not supported. However, relationships among the main Microtus branches were not resolved, suggesting a rapid and potentially simultaneous radiation of a widespread ancestor early in the history of the genus. This and subsequent radiations discernible in the cytochrome b phylogeny, show the considerable potential of Microtus for analysis of historical and ecological determinants of speciation in small mammals. It is evident that speciation is an ongoing process in the genus and that the molecular data provides a vital insight into current species limits as well as cladogenic events of the past.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Organism Biology, Genetics Building, Lund University, Sölvegatan 29, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden. Maarit.Jaarola@cob.lu.se
authors.forename: Maarit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jaarola
authors.forename: Natália
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Martínková
authors.forename: Islam
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gündüz
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brunhoff
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zima
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nadachowski
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Amori
authors.forename: Nina S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Bulatova
authors.forename: Basil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chondropoulos
authors.forename: Stella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fraguedakis-Tsolis
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: González-Esteban
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: José López-Fuster
authors.forename: Andrei S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Kandaurov
authors.forename: Haluk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kefelioğlu
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: da Luz Mathias
authors.forename: Idoia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Villate
authors.forename: Jeremy B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Searle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000235:genetics*; D045303:Cytochromes b / Q000235:genetics; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005843:Geography; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D045303:Cytochromes b