A molecular perspective on mammalian evolution from the gene encoding interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein, with convincing evidence for bat monophyly

doi:10.1016/1055-7903(92)90026-D

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

Volume 1, Issue 2, June 1992, Pages 148-160

https://doi.org/10.1016/1055-7903(92)90026-D Get rights and content

Abstract

The evolutionary relationships of the various orders of placental mammals remain an issue of uncertainty and controversy. Molecular studies of mammalian phylogeny at the DNA level that include more than just a few orders are still relatively meager. Here we report results on mammalian phylogeny deduced from the coding sequence of the single-copy nuclear gene for the interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP). Analysis of 13 species representing eight eutherian orders and one marsupial yielded results that falsify the hypothesis that megachiropteran bats are “flying primates,” only convergently resembling microchiropteran bats. Instead, in agreement with more traditional views, as well as those from other recent molecular studies, the results strongly support a monophyletic Chiroptera (micro- and megabats grouped together). The IRBP results also offer some rare molecular support for the Glires concept, in which rodents and lagomorphs form a superordinal grouping. Also in congruence with other recent molecular evidence, IRBP sequences do not support the view of a superorder Archonta that includes Chiroptera along with Dermoptera (flying lemur), Scandentia (tree shrew), and Primates. IRBP was not however, without its shortcomings as a molecular phylogenetic system: high levels of homoplasy, evident in the marsupial outgroup, did not allow us to properly root the tree, and several of the higher level eutherian clades were only weakly supported (e.g., a Carnivore/Chiroptera clade and an Artiodactyla/Carnivore/Chiroptera clade). We suggest that these shortcomings may be diminished as the phylogenetic density of the data set is increased.

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View full text

A molecular perspective on mammalian evolution from the gene encoding interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein, with convincing evidence for bat monophyly

Abstract

Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun

Exp. Eye Res

J. Biol. Chem

J. Biol. Chem

Math. Biosci

J. Human Evol

Molecular phylogeny of the superorder Archonta

Relationships within archontan mammals based on 128 rRNA gene sequence

Am. Zool

Rejection of the “flying primate” hypothesis by phylogenetic evidence from the ϵ-globin gene

Science

Examination of monophyly of bats: Restriction map of the ribosomal DNA cistron

Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist

On the monophyly of bats

Syst. Zool

Gliding behaviour and palaeoecology of the alleged primate family Paromomyidae (Mammalia, Dermoptera)

Nature

Tupaiid affinities: The evidence of the carotid arteries and cranial skeleton

Tupaiid and Archonta phylogeny: The macromolecular evidence

Perspectives from amino acid and nucleotide sequences on cladistic relationships among higher taxa of Eutheria

The orders of mammals

Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist

Generation of singlestranded DNA by the polymerase chain reaction and its application to direct sequencing of the HLA-DQA locus

Evolution of protein molecules

Eocene plesiadapiform shows affinities with flying lemurs not primates

Nature

Evolutionary and developmental aspects of two hemoglobin β-chain genes (ϵM and βM) of opossum

Molecular phylogeny of Rodentia, Lagomorpha, Primates, Artiodactyla, and Carnivora and molecular clocks

The use of reproductive and developmental features in assessing tupaiid affinities

Primate Origins and Evolution: A Phylogenetic Reconstruction

Evolutionary and developmental aspects of two hemoglobin β-chain genes (ϵ^M and β^M) of opossum