Molecular Biology and Evolution, Vol 9, 457-473, Copyright © 1992 by Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution
JC Avise, BW Bowen, T Lamb, AB Meylan and E Bermingham
Evidence is compiled suggesting a slowdown in mean microevolutionary rate
for turtle mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Within each of six species or species
complexes of Testudines, representing six genera and three taxonomic
families, sequence divergence estimates derived from restriction assays are
consistently lower than expectations based on either (a) the dates of
particular geographic barriers with which significant mtDNA genetic clades
appear associated or (b) the magnitudes of sequence divergence between
mtDNA clades in nonturtle species that otherwise exhibit striking
phylogeographic concordance with the genetic partitions in turtles.
Magnitudes of the inferred rate slowdowns average eightfold relative to the
"conventional" mtDNA clock calibration of 2%/Myr sequence divergence
between higher animal lineages. Reasons for the postulated deceleration
remain unknown, but two intriguing correlates are (a) the exceptionally
long generation length most turtles and (b) turtles' low metabolic rate.
Both factors have been suspected of influencing evolutionary rates in the
DNA sequences of some other vertebrate groups. Uncertainities about the
dates of cladogenetic events in these Testudines leave room for
alternatives to the slowdown interpretation, but consistency in the
direction of the inferred pattern, across several turtle species and
evolutionary settings, suggests the need for caution in acceptance of a
universal mtDNA-clock calibration for higher animals.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Mitochondrial DNA evolution at a turtle's pace: evidence for low genetic variability and reduced microevolutionary rate in the Testudines
Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.
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