Abstract

FUENTES-GONZALEZ, Jesualdo A.  and  MUNOZ-DURAN, Joao. PHYLOGENY OF THE EXTANT CANIDS (CARNIVORA: CANIDAE) BY MEANS OF CHARACTER CONGRUENCE UNDER PARSIMONY. Actu Biol [online]. 2012, vol.34, n.96, pp.85-102. ISSN 0304-3584.

Genealogical relationships among extant canids have been controversial. The most noticeable problems include the monophyly of both the wolf-like canids and the South American canids, as well as the phylogenetic position of Nyctereutes, Urocyon, Otocyon, Chrysocyon, Speothos and Lycaon. In this study we analyze the phylogenetic relationships of the 35 extant canid species using a character congruence approach under maximum parsimony. We analyzed morphological, molecular, cytogenetic, life history, ecological and behavioral data. Taxonomic congruence approaches were also implemented to evaluate the contribution and combinability of data partitions. Since partitioned analysis did not result in hard incongruences among partitions, we proceeded to a combined analysis of all data. The resulting topology suggests that Nyctereutes radiated early in the history of the Caninae, whereas the other taxa are grouped in three clades: fox-like canids, wolf-like canids, and South American canids. Monophyly of the genera Urocyon, Lycalopex, and Vulpes was corroborated. Results also indicated that the genus Canis is polyphyletic. The taxa Urocyon and Otocyon are sister taxa and are located at the base of the fox-like canids (Vulpini). Species of Vulpes are arranged in two clades according to biogeographical distribution. The first clade includes all Holartic species, the second is shared by Afrotropical and Indo-Malaysian species. The evolution of South American canids presents a hierarchical radiation structure, with Lycalopex at the end of the branch. The taxon Speothos is not included within the South American canid clade. It is in a clade together with the other two genera that have a trenchant heel (Lycaon and Cuon), suggesting that the hypercarnivory adaptation evolved only once in the history of the Caninae.

Keywords : Canidae; character congruence; parsimony; total evidence; trenchant heel.

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