Restriction Site Polymorphism in the Ribosomal DNA of Eight Species of Canidae and Mustelidae

Abstract

Heterogeneity in the external spacers of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) from eight species of terrestrial carnivores (Canidae, Mustelidae) was analyzed using twelve different restriction enzymes and cloned mouse rDNA probes. We constructed species-specific maps of restriction sites on rDNA. Based on differences in the arrangements of the restriction sites, sequence divergence among the repeating units of rDNA was estimated in order to construct a molecular-phylogenetic tree and to estimate the timing of the divergence of species. The divergence between Nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus and Vulpes vulpes japonica was 8.4%. The sequence divergence between Mustela putorius furo versus Mustela sibirica itatsi, Mustela nivalis nivalis and Martes melampus melampus was 0.65%, 1.59% and 7.27%, respectively.