Phylogenetic relationships among the Malagasy lemuriforms (Primates: Strepsirrhini) as indicated by mitochondrial sequence data from the 12S rRNA gene

Abstract

Numerous phylogenetic hypotheses have been advanced for the Malagasy lemuriform radiation, drawing on data from morphology, physiology, behaviour and molecular genetics. Almost all possible relationships have been proposed, ,md most nodes have been contested. We present a phylogenetic analysis, using several analytical methods, of a partial sequence from the 12s rRNA mitochondrial gene. This gene codes for the small ribosomal subunit, and functional constraints require that the secondary structure of the molecule is strongly conserved, which in idurn exerts constraints on the primary sequence structure. Although previous studies have suggested a very wide range of phylogenetic applicability for this molecule, our results indicate that it is most useful in strepsirrhine primates J'or estimating relationships among genera within families and among relatively recently diverged families (mean sequence divergence about 11Vo). Relationships among families separated by larger genetic distances (>12Vo divergence; e.g. Cheirogaleidae, Daubentoniidae, Megaladapidae) are difficult to resolve consistently. Our data show strong support for an Indridae-Lemuridae sister group and for monophyly of the Lemuridae with Varecia as the sister to all other lemurids. They also support, albeit less strongly, sister group relationships between Lemur and Hapalemur within the Lemuridae and between PmpLthecus and Avahi in the Indridae.

Test of the Optimal Body Size Model for Strepsirhines

“…Also, it is not known if the unresolved trichotomy of cheirogalids, lepilemurids, and indriids represents a hard or soft polytomy (Yoder, 2003). For example, genetic studies of lemurs result in differing phylogenies depending on phylogenetic method (parsimony, maximum likelihood) and which genes are used (Delpero et al, 2001;Hapke et al, 2005;Pastorini et al, 2002). In addition, there is considerable debate regarding lorisid systematics (Groves, 2001;Masters et al, 2005;Yoder, 2005).…”

“…strepsirhines, includes numerous regions of the genome, and supports many of the phylogenetic relationships reported from morphological studies. We supplemented the phylogeny with more recent genetic data (Delpero et al, 2001;Mayor et al, 2004;Poux and Douzery, 2004;Wyner et al, 2000;Yoder et al, 2000). Serial independence tests indicated significant phylogenetic autocorrelation for male body size (C = .442, p = .001) and female body size (C = .685, p = .001), but not for 2-dimensional home range size in males (C = .169, p = .197) and females (C = .201, p = .171).…”

Development and application of a phylogenomic toolkit: Resolving the evolutionary history of Madagascar’s lemurs

“…The analysis of data sets that are compromised by weak sampling, whether it be taxonomic or character insufficiencies, often results in phylogenetic hypotheses that either are conflicting or are weakly resolved. Previous character-based phylogenetic analyses of lemurs (Primates, suborder Lemuriformes) have been subject to weak taxonomic sampling and small data sets that are based on only one or a few genetic loci (Crovella et al 1993Adkins and Honeycutt 1994;Yoder 1994Yoder , 2003DelPero et al 1995DelPero et al , 2001Dutrillaux and Rumpler 1995;Porter et al 1995Porter et al , 1997bStanger 1996;Stanger-Hall 1997;Stanger-Hall and Cunningham 1998;Yoder and Irwin 1999;Murphy et al 2001;Pastorini et al 2003;Poux et al 2005). Despite these weaknesses, virtually all phylogenetic studies of lemurs and related primates agree on three points: (1) lemurs are monophyletic; (2) the lemuriform clade is most closely related to the African and Asian lorisiform clade, together forming the tooth-combed primate clade strepsirrhini; and (3) the strepsirrhine clade is sister to all other living primates.…”

Redescription of Lemuricola (Madoxyuris) bauchoti (Nematoda, Oxyuridae) from Lemur catta in Madagascar

“…However, a number of studies support a close phyletic affinity between Lemur catta and the genus Hapalemur (e.g. Crovella and Rumpler 1992, Macedonia and Stanger 1994, Yoder and Irwin 1999, Delpero et al 2001, agreeing in part with the theories about a possible association by descent between Lemuricola and species of Strepsirrhini.…”