ALLOZYME AND ISOZYME VARIATION IN 7 SOUTHERN AFRICAN ELEPHANT-SHREW SPECIES

Analysed were the allozyme and isozyme variation in seven species of s outhern African elephant-shrews. Allozyme and isozyme patterns obtaine d were species-specific. The data obtained showed a vast degree of div ergence amongst the members of the genus Elephantulus, with Nei's gene tic distance values ranging from 0.571 to 0.810 while the degree of di vergence between Macroscelides proboscideus and Petrodromus tetradacty lus was rather low, with a Nei's genetic distance value of 0.323. Gene tic heterozygosity ranged from 0.000 to 0.055 while polymorphism range d from 0.000% to 12.50%. Based on the results of UPGMA analysis E. bra chyrhynchus was retained in the genus Elephantulus.