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Published on: February 28, 2015
Phylogenomics of African guenons
Sibyle Moulin1, Michèle Gerbault-Seureau, Bernard Dutrillaux
1Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Département de Systématique et Evolution, UMR 5202 CNRS, Origine Structure et Evolution de la Biodiversité, 16 rue Buffon, Paris, France. smoulin@mnhn.fr
Summary
This study compares primate karyotypes using chromosome banding and Zoo-FISH, revealing new insights into Cercopithecini evolution and challenging existing classifications. Primate chromosomal evolution is driven by fissions, shifts, and inversions.
Area of Science:
- Primate Cytogenetics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Comparative Genomics
Background:
- The classification of Cercopithecinae (Old World monkeys) has been debated, with previous studies relying on morphological and molecular data.
- Understanding karyotype evolution provides crucial insights into primate speciation and phylogenetic relationships.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare karyotypes of 26 Cercopithecini species using chromosome banding and Zoo-FISH (human painting probes).
- To reconstruct phylogenetic trees based on chromosomal characters and compare them with DNA sequence data.
- To investigate the evolutionary mechanisms driving karyotype diversification in Cercopithecini.
Main Methods:
- Comparative chromosome banding analysis across 28 specimens from 26 Cercopithecinae species.
- Zoo-FISH (ZOO-fluorescence in situ hybridization) using human painting probes on selected species.
- Phylogenetic analysis incorporating chromosomal characters and comparison with molecular data.
Main Results:
- First descriptions of karyotypes for four Cercopithecini species and a synonym of Cercopithecus nictitans.
- Identification of numerous chromosomal homologies and rearrangements, providing new data for phylogenetic reconstruction.
- Demonstration that some proposed superspecies are not homogeneous and that the genus Cercopithecus is paraphyletic, aligning with molecular findings.
Conclusions:
- Cercopithecini karyotype evolution is primarily driven by non-centromeric chromosome fissions, centromeric shifts, and inversions.
- Non-Robertsonian translocations were identified in Cercopithecus hamlyni and Cercopithecus neglectus.
- Primate evolution may involve repeated fission events or reticulate phases facilitating chromosomal form spread before speciation.
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