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The systematics and evolution of New World primates – A review
[Display omitted] •Taxonomic classifications of New World primates based on morphology.•Three decades of study of molecular phylogeny and evolution of the Platyrrhini in South America.•Advances in our understanding of the phylogeny of New World primates through the study of Alu insertions and phylog...
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Published in: | Molecular phylogenetics and evolution 2015-01, Vol.82, p.348-357 |
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Main Authors: | , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | [Display omitted]
•Taxonomic classifications of New World primates based on morphology.•Three decades of study of molecular phylogeny and evolution of the Platyrrhini in South America.•Advances in our understanding of the phylogeny of New World primates through the study of Alu insertions and phylogenomics.•Geomorphology of South America and the evolution of platyrrhines.•Future directions and approaches to address remaining problems of New World primate phylogenetics.
This paper provides an overview of the taxonomy of New World primates from proposals of the 1980's based on morphology to the great number of studies based on molecular data aiming for the elucidation of the phylogeny of New World monkeys. The innovations of the first molecular phylogeny presented by Schneider et al. (1993) positioned Callimico as a sister group of Callithrix and Cebuella; Callicebus as a member of the pitheciids; Brachyteles as sister to Lagothrix; and the night monkeys (Aotus), capuchins (Cebus) and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri) in the same clade with the small callitrichines. These results were subsequently confirmed by dozens of subsequent studies using data from DNA sequences. Some issues difficult to resolve with the phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences, such as the diversification of the oldest lineages (pitheciids, atelids and cebids), and the confirmation of Aotus as a member of the Cebinae clade (together with Cebus/Saimiri), were clarified with new molecular approaches based on the presence or absence of Alu insertions as well as through the use of phylogenomics. At this time, all relationships at the intergeneric level had been deciphered, with the exception of the definition of the sister group of callitrichines (whether Aotus or Cebus/Saimiri are sister to callitrichines, or if Aotus, Saimiri and Cebus form a clade together). Future studies should prioritize the alpha taxonomy of most Neotropical primate groups, and the use of phylogenetic and geographic data, combined with reliable estimates of divergence times, to clarify the taxonomic status at species and genus level, as well as to help understand the evolutionary history of this remarkable and highly diversified group. |
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ISSN: | 1055-7903 1095-9513 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.ympev.2013.10.017 |