Multilocus systematics and non-punctuated evolution of Holarctic Myodini (Rodentia: Arvicolinae)

Brooks A. Kohli, Kelly A. Speer, C. William Kilpatrick, Nyamsuren Batsaikhan, Darmaa Damdinbaza, Joseph A. Cook

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

The tribe Myodini consists of five genera of forest and alpine voles (Alticola, Caryomys, Eothenomys, Hyperacrius and Myodes) distributed throughout the Holarctic. Because mitochondrial evidence has revealed paraphyly and polyphyly among genera, we apply the first multilocus tests to clarify taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships. Our analyses of 28 of 36 species within Myodini, including three not previously sequenced (A. montosa, A. albicaudus, and H. fertilis), identify four distinct clades and provide the first molecular evidence that Hyperacrius may not belong in Myodini. Myodes is paraphyletic, while polyphyly of Alticola reflects apparent ancient mitochondrial introgression. Diversification in this tribe was hypothesized to be tightly linked to Late Cenozoic climatic events, however, lineage through time analysis indicates diversification over the last 4 My was gradual and not strongly punctuated.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)18-29
Number of pages12
JournalMolecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
Volume76
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Holarctic
  • Lineage through time
  • Mitochondrial introgression
  • Paraphyly
  • Punctuated diversification
  • Species tree

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

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