Phylogenetic history of sifakas (Propithecus: Lemuriformes) derived from mtDNA sequences

Abstract

The sifakas (Propithecus) include three species containing up to 10 described subspecies, whose evolutionary relationships remain contentious. In particular, it is unclear whether P. verreauxi deckeni and P.v. coronatus populations are differentiated at the subspecific level. Furthermore, the taxonomic status of the recently discovered P. tattersalli and its phylogenetic position also require further examination. About 2,400 bp of mitochondrial DNA sequence data from part of the COIII gene, together with complete genes for ND3, ND4L, ND4, and five tRNAs, were used to clarify relationships among Propithecus species and subspecies. All analyses group Avahi as the sister group to all sifakas. P. diadema is placed as a sister group to all other Propithecus. Among the remaining sifakas, one subclade is formed by P.v. coquereli and P. tattersalli, while P.v. verreauxi, P.v. deckeni, and P.v. coronatus form the second subclade. All analyses fail to resolve P.v. coronatus and P.v. deckeni into separate monophyletic lineages. Based on pairwise distance comparisons and tree topology, we conclude that P. tattersalli does not represent a distinct species and that P.v. deckeni and P.v. coronatus do not deserve subspecific rank. On the other hand, our analyses indicate that P.v. coquereli may well represent a separate species. Am. J. Primatol. 53:1–17, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

A molecular approach to comparative phylogeography of extant Malagasy lemurs

“…The origins of most samples have been reported (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). Two bush babies (Otolemur crassicaudatus and Galago senegalensis) were sequenced to provide an outgroup.…”

Lemur Diversity in Madagascar

“…In contrast, the study of mtDNA by Pastorini et al (2001aPastorini et al ( , 2003 grouped Propithecus tattersalli with the P. verreauxi group, and even, assuming a version of the Genetic Species Concept, called into question whether or not it deserved specific status. Independent analyses of mitochondrial DNA (Mayor et al 2004;Pastorini et al 2001a) and clusters based on morphological characteristics (Mayor et al 2004) have confirmed the close link between Propithecus tattersalli and P. coquereli. The karyotype separates it from all other forms of Propithecus (Mayor et al 2004;Rumpler et al 2004).…”

Madagascar's Lemurs: Cryptic diversity or taxonomic inflation?

“…He also promoted the former P. v. verreauxi, P. v. coquereli, and P. v. deckenii to full species, with the latter embracing the subspecies P. d. deckenii and P. d. coronatus. Pastorini, et al 67 then used mtDNA distances to restore the traditional two-species division, to suggest that the karyotypically distinct P. tattersalli paired with P. v. coquereli, and to conclude that subspecific distinction between P. v. coronatus and P. v. deckenii is not warranted. Thalmann et al 68 disagreed, presenting persuasive morphological and distributional evidence for distinguishing P. v. coronatus from P. v. deckenii.…”