PHYLOGENETIC-RELATIONSHIPS AMONG INDRIIDAE (PRIMATES, STREPSIRHINI) INFERRED FROM HIGHLY REPEATED DNA BAND PATTERNS

Comparative studies of highly repeated DNA from different species of I ndriidae (Primates, Strepsirhini) allowed confirmation of the specific status of Avahi occidentalis, A. laniger and Propithecus tattersalli. The comparison of their band patterns revealed the existence of speci fic and common bands from which a cladogram of the family is inferred. This cladogram shows that Avahi clade is the sister-group of Indri an d Propithecus clade, and that P. verreauxi is related to P. diadema Th ese results were discussed in view of those obtained from cytogenetic, morphological and molecular data (mitochondrial DNA). This study show s the capacity of the repeated sequence pattern comparison to be used as a tool for confirming taxa status, (taxinomic classification is a p rimary determinant of management priorities far endangered species, ne glect of distinct taxa may lead to their extinction), and for inferrin g phylogenetic relationships among related species.