ISSN:
0032-8332
Keywords:
Strepsirhini
;
Phylogeny
;
Allozymes
;
Cladistics
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract At least four hypotheses regarding the phylogenetic relationships within the Galaginae have been proposed, based on features of karyology, morphology, and behaviour, but these hypotheses share few common elements. Here we investigate erythrocytic allozymes as potential phylogenetic markers, and subject our results to a cladistic analysis. Our study offers little support for the previous models, but suggests instead that the greater galagos andG. alleni form a clade since they share character states for eight of the ten systems examined. The two lesser galago species could not be distinguished using these enzymes, and character states common to them and theallenicrassicaudatus-garnettii clade were found in only four systems. Our resultant cladogram accords well with the rather scant galagine fossil record. The data also show strong concordance with results obtained using highly repeated DNA sequences, which indicate that the galagos form a close-knit genetic group, while the Malagasy lemurids show considerably more inter-taxic variation.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02382053
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