Molecular Phylogeny of Some Passeriformes, Based on Cytochrome b Sequences

Abstract

A 646bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and a 293bp fragment of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene were sequenced from 20 species of the Passeriformes, primarily of the family Muscicapidae. Phylogenetic trees of the cytochrome b gene indicated monophyly of the genus Turdus except T. dauma and close relationships among T. chrysollaus, T. obscurus and T. pallidus with a high bootstrap probability. The tree showed an early divergence of Corvus macrorhynchos from the other Passeriformes. Sturnus cineraceus was not closely related to Corvus macrorhynchos and included in the branch of Muscicapidae with a relatively high bootstrap probability. Although the trees suggested monophyly of the families Emberizidae, Ploceidae and Zosteropidae, the relationships among the families of Passeriformes were unclear. The sequences of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene were the same in the Passeriformes examined except the Tarsiger cyanurus, Monticola solitarius and Ficedula narcissina. These three species shared a single substitution at the same position, suggesting monophyly of the three species.