Title
Molecular evidence for species level divergence in African Nile Crocodiles Crocodylus niloticus (Laurenti, 1786)
Author(s)
Schmitz A., Mansfeld P., Hekkala E., Shine T., Nickel H., Amato G., Bohme W.
Published
2003
Publisher
Comptes Rendus - Palevol
Abstract
Relationships of the newly discovered dwarf crocodiles from Mauritania were inferred from mitochondrial 12S sequences. Specimens from 13 different Crocodylus niloticus populations (from East Africa, West Africa and Madagascar) were compared. Additional representatives of the genus Crocodylus (one from Africa and one from Australia), the African genus Osteolaemus and the South American alligatorid Paleosuchus palpebrosus (as outgroup) were included in the analysis. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian analyses yielded relationships that were strikingly different from currently prevailing phylogenetic hypotheses. Both analyses consistently revealed two groups, one consisting of the monophyletic West- and Central African populations and the other of a paraphyletic group containing the East African and Madagascan populations. High genetic divergence between those groups indicates separation on the species level. Furthermore 'C' cataphractus is clearly shown not to be a member of the genus Crocodylus. The resulting nomenclatural changes are discussed. © 2003 Académie des sciences. Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.
Keywords
Bayesian analysis; crocodilian; divergence; genetic variation; maximum likelihood analysis; mitochondrial DNA; molecular analysis; Africa; Indian Ocean; Indian Ocean islands; Madagascar; Alligator; Crocodylidae (all crocodiles); Crocodylus; Crocodylus niloticus; Osteolaemus; Paleosuchus; Paleosuchus palpebrosus

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PUB11166