A phylogeny of howler monkeys (Cebidae: Alouatta) based on mitochondrial, chromosomal and morphological data

The current taxonomic status of the species and subspecies belonging to the genus Alouatta is addressed by combined phylogenetic analysis using morphological, kariotipyc and molecular data (mitochondrial genes cytocrome oxidase II and cytochrome B). Our result demonstrated that Alouatta palliata is the most basal taxon for the genus in concordance with previous studies, as well as showing the validity of the taxon Alouatta sara as a species. Also our analysis shows that the sex chromosome has evolved from a XY/XX system to a X1X2Y1Y2/X1X1X2X2 system within the genus, as well as an increase in the size and complexity of the hioideal bone.

Molecular variation of Taenia solium in the world.

Complete nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (CO I) genes from various isolates of Taenia solium were examined. Eleven isolates were analyzed; two isolates from China, two isolates from Indonesia, one isolate each from India, Thailand, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Mozambique and Tanzania. In both genes, two isolates from Indonesia shared the same sequences. Similarly, the isolate from Mexico shared same sequences with that from Peru, and the isolate from Mozambique shared same sequences with that from Tanzania. Phylogenetic trees inferred from different mitochondrial genes yielded almost the same topology. Both the UPGMA and NJ-trees were also very similar. These trees indicate that T. solium may be diverged to 2 genetic groups; isolates from Asia form one group and isolates from Africa and Latin America belong to the other. It seems that T. solium prevalent in Africa and in Latin America shares the related origin and has recently been introduced to each area, perhaps with domestic pigs or human.