Seven new dolphin mitochondrial genomes and a time-calibrated phylogeny of whales.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The phylogeny of Cetacea (whales) is not fully resolved with substantial support. The ambiguous and conflicting results of multiple phylogenetic studies may be the result of the use of too little data, phylogenetic methods that do not adequately capture the complex nature of DNA evolution, or both. In addition, there is also evidence that the generic taxonomy of Delphinidae (dolphins) underestimates its diversity. To remedy these problems, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes of seven dolphins and analyzed these data with partitioned Bayesian analyses. Moreover, we incorporate a newly-developed "relaxed" molecular clock to model heterogenous rates of evolution among cetacean lineages.

Results

The "deep" phylogenetic relationships are well supported incl

SUBMITTER: Xiong Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2656474 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature