Molecular systematics of tamarins with emphasis on genusTamarinus(Primates, Callitrichidae)

Abstract

AbstractThe genusSaguinuscomprises three principal clades that diverged in the Middle to Late Miocene. Their taxa are ecologically differentiated and allopatrically distributed. These clades were recently recognized as different genera,Saguinus,TamarinusandOedipomidas. InTamarinus, the phylogenetic relationships among species/subspecies are poorly understood. Thus, in this study we present a comprehensive dated genomic phylogeny based on double digest restriction associated DNA for all known species and subspecies ofTamarinus. We also tested whether thatTamarinus imperatorandTamarinus subgrisescensare different species, as morphology‐based taxonomy, phenotypical divergences and mitochondrial genes recognized them as two different species. Additionally, we reconstructed time‐calibrated phylogenetics tree hypotheses of all extant species and subspecies of the generaSaguinus,TamarinusandOedipomidas. Our analysis robustly supported the phylogenetic hypothesis of all species/subspecies of the genusTamarinus; strongly supported a divergence between the three clades,Saguinus,OedipomidasandTamarinus; and provided support forT. imperatorandT. subgrisescensas distinct species. Therefore, we reiterate and ratify the division ofSaguinusinto three genera, supporting the taxonomic proposal for these genera.