title: Cytochrome b sequence data suggest rapid speciation within the Paramecium aurelia species complex.
abstract: We investigated mitochondrial Cytochrome b sequences from all 15 members of the enigmatic Paramecium aurelia species complex (Ciliophora). The analysis revealed high genetic distances between the different P. aurelia species (6.1-19.8%) and a largely unresolved, star-like phylogenetic tree. This result strongly supports a rapid radiation in the evolutionary history of this species complex and it correlates well with the hypothesis that the extant species diversity may have originated from the neutral consequences of a whole genome duplication in the common ancestor of P. aurelia.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Evolution and Animal Systematics, Institute of Biology II, University of Leipzig, Talstr. 33, 04103 Leipzig, Germany. dbarth@rz.uni-leipzig.de
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barth
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Przyboś
authors.forename: Sergei I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Fokin
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schlegel
authors.forename: Thomas U
authors.initials: TU
authors.lastname: Berendonk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D045303:Cytochromes b / Q000235:genetics*; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005459:Fluorides; D050259:Genes, Mitochondrial; D017125:Genes, Protozoan; D049810:Genetic Speciation; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008689:Methacrylates; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000235:genetics; D008957:Models, Genetic; D048489:Paramecium aurelia / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D011140:Polyurethanes; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D008689:Methacrylates; D011140:Polyurethanes; C091935:Sequence (bonding agent); D045303:Cytochromes b; D005459:Fluorides