On the phylogeny of Mustelidae subfamilies: analysis of seventeen nuclear non-coding loci and mitochondrial complete genomes

Abstract

BackgroundMustelidae, as the largest and most-diverse family of order Carnivora, comprises eight subfamilies. Phylogenetic relationships among these Mustelidae subfamilies remain argumentative subjects in recent years. One of the main reasons is that the mustelids represent a typical example of rapid evolutionary radiation and recent speciation event. Prior investigation has been concentrated on the application of different mitochondrial (mt) sequence and nuclear protein-coding data, herein we employ 17 nuclear non-coding loci (>15 kb), in conjunction with mt complete genome data (>16 kb), to clarify these enigmatic problems.ResultsThe combined nuclear intron and mt genome analyses both robustly support that Taxidiinae diverged first, followed by Melinae. Lutrinae and Mustelinae are grouped together in all analyses with strong supports. The position of Helictidinae, however, is enigmatic because the mt genome analysis places it to the clade uniting Lutrinae and Mustelinae, whereas the nuclear intron analysis favores a novel view supporting a closer relationship of Helictidinae to Martinae. This finding emphasizes a need to add more data and include more taxa to resolve this problem. In addition, the molecular dating provides insights into the time scale of the origin and diversification of the Mustelidae subfamilies. Finally, the phylogenetic performances and limits of nuclear introns and mt genes are discussed in the context of Mustelidae phylogeny.ConclusionOur study not only brings new perspectives on the previously obscured phylogenetic relationships among Mustelidae subfamilies, but also provides another example demonstrating the effectiveness of nuclear non-coding loci for reconstructing evolutionary histories in a group that has undergone rapid bursts of speciation.

Evolutionary status of the invasive American minkNeovison visonrevealed by complete mitochondrial genome

“…Specially, the American mink's closest relative in Eurasian mainland is the Siberian weasel Mustela sibirica rather the European mink Mustela lutreola, as demonstrated by previous studies (Koepfli et al 2008;Yu et al 2011), which is also shown in the figure.…”

On the correct name for some subfamilies of Mustelidae (Mammalia, Carnivora)

“…The clade that grouped the martens (Martes), wolverine (Gulo), and tayra (Eira) received the name Martinae by most of authors (Stone & Cook, 2002;Flynn et al, 2005;Fulton & Strobeck, 2006;Koepfli et al, 2008;Larivière & Jennings, 2009;Yu et al, 2011) ["(…) the Martes-Eira-Gulo clade, we propose that this clade also be afforded subfamilial status as Martinae"; Fulton & Strobeck, 2006: 178], but this is contrary to the rules of ICZN Code (1999), which states:…”

“…Since the inclusion of molecular data in the 2000s, new insights challenged the traditional classification arrangement of mustelids (Stone & Cook, 2002;Flynn et al, 2005;Fulton & Strobeck, 2006;Koepfli et al, 2008;Larivière & Jennings, 2009;Yu et al, 2011;Sato et al, 2012). According to these molecular studies, skunks (Spilogale, Mephitis and Conepatus) and stink badgers (Mydaus) form a separate family (Mephitidae), a sister group in relation to the clade formed by the remaining Mustelidae and Procyonidae.…”

Molecular evolution and adaptation of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene in the subgenus Martes

“…Here, we devoted special attention to Martes species because they represent a typical example of rapid evolutionary radiation and a recent speciation event (Yu et al, 2011). The genus Martes has 8 extant species (Anderson, 1970).…”