title: Molecular phylogeny and taxonomic revision of the sportive lemurs (Lepilemur, Primates).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The number of species within the Malagasy genus Lepilemur and their phylogenetic relationships is disputed and controversial. In order to establish their evolutionary relationships, a comparative cytogenetic and molecular study was performed. We sequenced the complete mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (1140 bp) from 68 individuals representing all eight sportive lemur species and most major populations, and compared the results with those obtained from cytogenetic studies derived from 99 specimens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Interspecific genetic variation, diagnostic characters and significantly supported phylogenetic relationships were obtained from the mitochondrial sequence data and are in agreement with cytogenetic information. The results confirm the distinctiveness of Lepilemur ankaranensis, L. dorsalis, L. edwardsi, L. leucopus, L. microdon, L. mustelinus, L. ruficaudatus and L. septentrionalis on species level. Additionally, within L. ruficaudatus large genetic differences were observed among different geographic populations. L. dorsalis from Sahamalaza Peninsula and from the Ambanja/Nosy Be region are paraphyletic, with the latter forming a sister group to L. ankaranensis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results support the classification of the eight major sportive lemur taxa as independent species. Moreover, our data indicate further cryptic speciation events within L. ruficaudatus and L. dorsalis. Based on molecular data we propose to recognize the sportive lemur populations from north of the Tsiribihina River, south of the Betsiboka River, and from the Sahamalaza Peninsula, as distinct species.
authors.affiliation: Institut d'Embryologie, Université Louis Pasteur, Faculté de Médecine-EA3428, 11 rue Humann, 67085 Strasbourg, France. nicole-ludes@netcourrier.com
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Andriaholinirina
authors.forename: Jean-Luc
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Fausser
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roos
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zinner
authors.forename: Urs
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Thalmann
authors.forename: Clément
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rabarivola
authors.forename: Iary
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ravoarimanana
authors.forename: Jörg U
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Ganzhorn
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hilgartner
authors.forename: Lutz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.forename: Alphonse
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaramody
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Langer
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.forename: Ute
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Radespiel
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Craul
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tomiuk
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tattersall
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rumpler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045303:Cytochromes b / Q000235:genetics; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D049810:Genetic Speciation; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics; D007901:Lemuridae / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D045303:Cytochromes b