DNA sequence analysis to study the evolution of Antarctic Collembola

The mitochondrial COII gene was shown to be a useful marker at the populati on level in Isotoma klovstadi, and for studying phylogenetic relationships at the family level, while the nuclear EF-1 alpha and 28S rRNA genes were l ess useful. The populations of I. klovstadi from four collecting sites in N orth Victoria Land appeared to be fairly isolated from one another, with th e exception of one population which has probably been influenced by immigra nts from others. The position of Friesea grisea within the Neanuridae sugge sts that, in contrast with other morphological hypotheses, the subfamily Fr ieseinae is the sister-group of the Pseudachorutinae. Comparison of the mit ochondrial gene order in Gomphiocephalus bodgsoni and other insects suggest ed that some translocations in the tRNA genes may represent useful markers for reconstructing phylogenetic relationships within Arthropoda.