Systematics and evolution of the subfamily Gerbillinae (Mammalia, Rodentia, Muridae)

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dc.contributor.authorChevret P.
dc.contributor.authorDobigny G.
dc.date.accessioned2011-05-15T15:57:22Z
dc.date.available2011-05-15T15:57:22Z
dc.date.issued2005
dc.description.abstractAlthough they represent a quarter of the mammalian species, the evolutionary relationships among as well as within, the main murid lineages are still controversial. The subfamily Gerbillinae is no exception as previous studies based on morphological, karyotypical, and allozyme characters are highly incongruent. Here, we present the first molecular phylogeny for gerbils based on cytochrome b and 12S rRNA mitochondrial genes. Results are largely congruent between the two genes as well as with the concatenated data set with most of the nodes being well-supported. Based on the topologies retrieved here, we (1) propose the identification of three main clades, (2) support the split of Tatera genus into an Asian and an African group, the latter including Gerbillurus species, and (3) provide some evidence towards the inaccuracy of subgeneric divisions within both Gerbillus and Meriones. In addition, the sharp contrast between the genetic characters and morphological data sets suggest high levels of convergence, probably as a result of strong environmental constraints imposed on these rodents adapted to arid and semi-arid regions. Finally, molecular datings for the various cladogenetic events are in good agreement with the known gerbilline fossil record and support an African origin with subsequent migrations to Asia. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
dc.description.versionArticle
dc.identifier.citationMolecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
dc.identifier.citation35
dc.identifier.citation3
dc.identifier.issn10557903
dc.identifier.other10.1016/j.ympev.2005.01.001
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/10364
dc.subjectcytochrome b
dc.subjectribosome RNA
dc.subjectRNA, ribosomal, 12S
dc.subjectAfrica
dc.subjectanimal
dc.subjectarticle
dc.subjectBayes theorem
dc.subjectbiological model
dc.subjectclassification
dc.subjectcomparative study
dc.subjectDNA sequence
dc.subjectgenetics
dc.subjectgeography
dc.subjectgerbil
dc.subjectmolecular evolution
dc.subjectmolecular genetics
dc.subjectnucleotide sequence
dc.subjectphylogeny
dc.subjectstatistical model
dc.subjectAfrica
dc.subjectAnimals
dc.subjectBase Sequence
dc.subjectBayes Theorem
dc.subjectCytochromes b
dc.subjectEvolution, Molecular
dc.subjectGeography
dc.subjectGerbillinae
dc.subjectLikelihood Functions
dc.subjectModels, Genetic
dc.subjectMolecular Sequence Data
dc.subjectPhylogeny
dc.subjectRNA, Ribosomal
dc.subjectSequence Analysis, DNA
dc.subjectGerbillinae
dc.subjectGerbillurus
dc.subjectGerbillus
dc.subjectMammalia
dc.subjectMeriones
dc.subjectMuridae
dc.subjectRodentia
dc.subjectTatera
dc.titleSystematics and evolution of the subfamily Gerbillinae (Mammalia, Rodentia, Muridae)
dc.typeArticle
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