Phylogeny of the genus Acomys (Rodentia, Muridae) based on the cytochrome b mitochondrial gene:: implications on taxonomy and phylogeography

Acomys species phylogeny was reconstructed from the sequences of the cytochrome b mitochondrial gene (1141 base pairs). Tree topologies obtained with different algorithms were mostly congruent and clades are well supported, although some relationships remain unresolved. The species included in the controversial "cahirinus-dimidiatus complex" cluster together in a terminal multifurcation, the lack of resolution of which is not caused by saturation of the marker. This suggest an adaptive radiation, and a redefinition of the "cahirinus-dimidiatus complex" is proposed.