Phylogenetic relationships of the European newts (genus Triturus) tested with mitochondrial DNA sequence data

European newts (genus Triturus) are widely studied, but their phylogeny is nor yet unambiguously resolved. Fragments of mitochondrial DNA experiencing different rates of evolution (the ATPase and 12S rRNA genes) were sequence d in order to test a phylogenetic hypothesis derived from biochemical and b ehavioral data. Well-supported branches of the existing phylogeny gained su pport in our study. The monophyletic origin of the hypothesized T. boscai - T. italicus clade remained ambiguous, whereas strong support was gained fo r the sister-taxon relationship of T. vulgaris and T. montandoni. The posit ion of T. vittatus as a sister taxon to the T. marmoratus species group was also supported. The phylogenetic position of T. alpestris could not be cla rified. With an in-group taxon sampling denser than in previous molecular p hylogenetic studies and under the aprioli selection of species from the gen era Cynops, Neurergus , and Paramesotriton as out-groups, the monophyly of Triturus was strongly supported. It cannot be excluded, however, that the p resumed out-group actually belongs to the in-group, rendering Trilurus para phyletic as was concluded from recently published 12S and 16S rRNA sequence data.