FAS Abstracts 2004 Meeting Page

Biological Sciences (BIO A): BIO-9

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Evolution of the African ground squirrel genus Xerus: Phylogenetic and phylogeographic patterns reflect the influence of climate change. M.D. Herron, J.M. Waterman and C.L. Parkinson. Dept. of Biology, Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816. We used Bayesian and maximum parsimony phylogenetic methods and nested clade analysis to infer relationships among African ground squirrels (Xerus) using mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences. We inferred relationships among the four species of Xerus, evaluated the specific distinctness of Cape (X. inauris) and mountain (X. princeps) ground squirrels, and tested hypotheses for historical patterns of gene flow within X. inauris. The inferred phylogeny supports the existence of an “arid corridor” from the Horn of Africa to the Cape region until at least the Early Pleistocene. Our analyses suggest that X. inauris and X. princeps represent distinct monophyletic lineages, and thus appear to be valid taxa. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic patterns suggest distinct effects of climate change on population differentiation and speciation within Xerus.