PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSES OF COMPLETE CYTOCHROME-B GENES OF THE ORDER CARNIVORA WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE CANIFORMIA

The evolutionary relationships among the Carnivora were studied in a p hylogenetic analysis based on the complete mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The study, which addressed primarily the relationships among the Caniformia, included 4 feliform and 26 caniform species, with 9 pinni peds. The analysis identified five caniform clades: Canidae, Ailuridae (with the monotypic lesser panda), Musteloidea (Mustelidae + Procyoni dae), Ursidae (including the giant panda), and Pinnipedia. The closest relatives of the Pinnipedia among terrestrial caniforms were not iden tified conclusively. Our analysis shows that the skunks are only dista ntly related to remaining mustelids (Mustelidae sensu stricto) and tha t the family Mustelidae, including the skunks, is paraphyletic. The re lationship among the five caniform clades was unresolved, suggesting a n evolutionary separation within a relatively short period of time. Ba sed on distance values, we propose that this primary diversification t ook place approximate to 45 million years ago.