Molecular and morphological analyses of the sportive lemurs (Family Megaladapidae: Genus Lepilemur) reveals 11 previously unrecognized species
Approximately 3,800 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA sequence data (control region of D-loop, 12s ribosomal RNA subunit gene, along with a fragment including a partial segment of cytochrome oxidase subunit III gene to Leucine-tRNA gene) were used to investigate the phylogenetic relationships among the sportive lemurs (Genus Lepilemur) and to other lemur genera of Madagascar. The results of our analyses support a monotypic relationship of Lepilemur species to other lemur genera, with a sister relationship to the Family Lemuridae. Most importantly, on the basis of both molecular sequence and morphological data, our results show the existence of at least 11 previously unrecognized species of Lepilemur. The phylogenetic analyses presented confirm a western/eastern split among the Lepilemur species with the exception of the Small-toothed Sportive Lemur found at Ranomafana and Tolongoina, which is included within the western clade. These results underscore the urgency to initiate further detailed studies in previously unstudied sites throughout Madagascar in order to better define lemur species
Print Book, English, 2006
Museum of Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 2006