Abstract

Previous studies based on morphological, allozymic and mitochondrial sequence data have indicated that Liomys pictus is paraplyletic relative to L. spectabilis. The purpose of this study was to determine the species boundaries that exist within this complex. I estimated phylogenetic relationships within this complex using sequence data from 1,140 bp of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene and two nuclear introns from engrailed protein (190 bp) and myosin heavy chain (254 bp) genes for approximately 712 individuals representing 82 localities across the range of L. pictus and L. spectabilis. Maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian analyses suggest that there are six species within the L. pictus complex using the Weins-Penkrot approach and Templeton's cohesion test for delimitating species whereas previously only two have been recognized.

Degree

MS

College and Department

Life Sciences; Biology

Rights

http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2006-05-08

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd1310

Keywords

species boundaries, Liomys pictus, Liomys spectabilis, Weins-Penkrot, cohesion test, delimiating species

Language

English

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