Generic level relationships of the Papionini (Cercopithecoidea)

Area of Science:

• Primate evolutionary biology
• Molecular anthropology
• Systematics of Old World monkeys (Papionini)

Background:

• Morphological analyses have historically suggested a close relationship between Mandrillus and Papio.
• Phylogenetic placement of Theropithecus has been inconsistent across different analytical methods.
• Previous studies indicated potential paraphyly within the mangabey genus Cerocebus.

Purpose of the Study:

• To resolve incongruences between molecular and morphological phylogenetic hypotheses for Papionini.
• To clarify the evolutionary relationships among genera within the Papionini tribe.
• To reassess the taxonomic status of mangabeys based on molecular and chromosomal data.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of multiple molecular datasets including DNA sequences (e.g., cytochrome oxidase subunit II), DNA-DNA hybridization, and repetitive DNA patterns.
• Chromosomal banding analyses.
• Review and reanalysis of morphological characters previously used in phylogenetic studies.

Main Results:

• Molecular and chromosomal data consistently group Theropithecus and Papio together, excluding Mandrillus.
• Evidence confirms the paraphyletic nature of the genus Cerocebus, supporting the resurrection of Lophocebus.
• Morphological reevaluation aligns with the molecular and chromosomal consensus phylogeny.

Conclusions:

• The molecular and chromosomal data provide a robust phylogenetic framework for the Papionini tribe.
• The study refutes previous morphological hypotheses suggesting a close Mandrillus-Papio link.
• The findings necessitate taxonomic revisions, including the recognition of Lophocebus as distinct from Cerocebus.