Molecular phylogeny of European muroid rodents based on complete cytochrome b sequences

Phylogenetic relationships among 18 species of mainly European muroid roden ts that belong to three subfamilies were estimated using complete sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The inferred monophyly of the subf amilies Murinae (mice and rats) and Arvicolinae (voles, lemmings, and muskr ats) is in agreement with previous studies. Within the Murinae, the morphol ogy-based division of the genus Apodemus into three subgenera is supported by these DNA sequence data. The relationships among the different genera of the Murinae were generally poorly resolved, and the relationships of Micro mys and Acomys to the other murine genera remained unresolved. Within the s ubfamily Arvicolinae, the relations of the genera Arvicola, Clethrionomys, and Microtus remained tentative with our data. However, within the Microtus group, there is a good molecular support for the phylogenetic relationship s. These findings suggest that the origin of the different murine and arvic oline lineages was rapid, indicating an adaptive radiation with fast specia tion. (C) 2000 Academic Press.