Problems in using Robertsonian rearrangements in determining monophyly: examples from the genera Tatera and Gerbillurus

摘要: Chromosomal banding data on three species of Tatera from Kenya significantly alter the previous hypothesis relationships between and within genera Gerbillurus based cladistic analyses rule parsimony (Qumsiyeh, 1986b). Of many possible hypothetical relationships, most parsimonious tree showed homoplasies allowed genus to be paraphyletic. The alternative trees, depicting larger number but with restricted fusion or fission events, were compatible morphological in supporting monophyly Gerbillurus. To choose chromosomal those supported by both morphology slightly less we performed an electrophoretic study this group gerbils. conclusions are that is monophyletic represents a branch closely related T. robusta Taterillini. documents fissions fusions must have occurred frequently some cases same acquired two independent lineages numbers exceeding predicted strict parsimony. results raise questions about validity systematic solely fusion/fission utilizing criterion.