Molecular Biology and Evolution, Vol 14, 883-891, Copyright © 1997 by Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution
TR Jackman, G Applebaum and DB Wake
We analyzed sequence data for 555 bp of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b
in plethodontid salamanders, taken from 18 ingroup (tribe Bolitoglossini)
and 4 outgroup (tribe Plethodontini) taxa. There were 257 variable sites,
of which 219 were phylogenetically informative. Sequence differences among
taxa exceeded 20%, and there were up to 15% amino acid differences among
the sequences. We also analyzed 37 morphological (including karyological)
characters, taken from the literature. Data were analyzed separately and
then combined using parsimony and likelihood approaches. There is little
conflict between the morphological and DNA data, and that which occurs is
at nodes that are weakly supported by one or both of the data sets. Treated
separately, the morphological and DNA data provide strong support for some
nodes but not for others. The combined data act synergistically so that
good support is obtained for nearly all of the nodes in the tree. Recent
divergences are supported by silent transitions, and older divergences are
supported by a combination of morphological, karyological, DNA
transversion, and amino acid changes. Eliminating silent changes from the
DNA data improves the consistency index and improves some bootstrap and
decay index values for several deeper branches in the tree. However, the
combined data set with all characters included provides a better supported
tree overall. Maximum likelihood and parsimony with all of the data give
not only the same topology but also remarkably similar branch lengths.
Results of this analysis support the monopoly of the supergenera
Hydromantes and Batrachoseps, and of a sister group relationship of
Batrachoseps and the supergenus Bolitoglossa (represented in this study one
species of the genus Bolitoglossa).
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Phylogenetic relationships of bolitoglossine salamanders: a demonstration of the effects of combining morphological and molecular data sets
Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California at Berkeley 94720-3160, USA.
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