Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of Kinosternon flavescens based on complete mitochondrial control region sequences

Nucleotide sequences for the complete mitochondrial control region (1158 bp ) were used to determine the phylogenetic relationships among populations o f the yellow mud turtle, Kinosternon flavescens (Kinosternidae). Phylogenet ic analysis of the mtDNA sequences reveals a polyphyletic K. flavescens wit h three distinct clades: (1) K. flavescens of the Central Plains, including isolated populations of Illinois and Iowa, (2) K. arizonense in the Sonora n Desert of Arizona and Mexico, and (3) K. durangoense in the Chihuahuan De sert of Durango, Coahuila, and Chihuahua, Mexico. Sequence divergence and n ucleotide diversity calculations support a hypothesis of Great Plains K. fl avescens dispersal and subsequent isolation of populations in the Midwest r elated to climatic change during the Pleistocene. (C) 2000 Academic Press.