Phylogenetic relationships within the Madagascan boophids and mantellids as elucidated by mitochondrial ribosomal genes

Abstract

Previous work has demonstrated that mitochondrial ribosomal gene sequences are useful for elucidating amphibian phylogenetic relationships at the levels of order, family and genus. Here, we use sequences from these genes somewhat longer than those used in previous studies to elucidate relationships among species in two amphibian groups (mantellids and boophids) whose members are so morphologically similar that conventional morphological characters have not been sufficient to discern relationships within the group. A 1762 nucleotide sequence from mitochondrial 12S, 16S and tRNA genes has very successfully sorted out relationships within the endemic Malagasy boophid and mantellid groups. These data demonstrate clearly that the mantellids are part of a monophyletic Malagasy clade that is the sister group to an Asian-African rhacophorid clade.