Mitochondrial DNA-like sequence in the nuclear genome of Saguinus (Callitrichinae, Primates): transfer estimation

Mitochondrial DNA-like sequences have been found in the nuclei of a variety of organisms. These nuclear pseudogenes can be used to estimate relative e volutionary rates of mitochondrial genes, and can be used as outgroups in p hylogenetic analyses. In this study, mitochondrial sequences with pseudogen e-like characteristics, including deletions and/or insertions and stop codo ns, were found in tamarins (Saguinus spp., Callitrichinae, Primates). Phylo genetic analysis allowed estimation of the timing of the migration of these sequences to the nuclear genome, and also permitted inferences on the phyl ogeny of the genus. The choice of an inadequate outgroup (Aotus infulatus) prevented a good phylogenetic resolution of the subfamily Callitrichinae. T he relatively ancient divergence of the Cebidae (Callitrichinae, Aotinae an d Cebinae) may have favored confounding homoplasies.