Two nuclear genes yield concordant relationships within Attacini (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)

Mol Phylogenet Evol. 1998 Feb;9(1):131-40. doi: 10.1006/mpev.1997.9999.

Abstract

To extend initial characterizations of their phylogenetic utility, sequences from the nuclear genes for elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1 alpha) and dopa decarboxylase (DDC) are tested for phylogenetic concordance with each other and with previous morphological evidence within the giant silk moth tribe Attacini (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). The sampling of DDC is expanded from the 690 basepairs of previous studies to 1051 basepairs in the current study. All nine attacine genera are sampled. EF-1 alpha and DDC agree in the placement of seven of nine genera, with placement of the other two not in strong conflict. Combination of the gene sequences results in a nearly fully resolved tree that is consistent with EF-1 alpha alone and agrees with morphology in five of eight groups. Conflict between molecules and morphology is confined to deeper-level relationships within Attacini, where node support for the molecular hypotheses, but not the morphological hypotheses, is generally very strong. A strong signal is contributed by synonymous substitutions in both genes, and by nonsynonymous change particularly in DDC. The molecular phylogeny supports a revision of attacine biogeography in that neither East Asian nor New World genera form monophyletic groups.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics*
  • DNA / analysis
  • Dopa Decarboxylase / analysis
  • Dopa Decarboxylase / genetics
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Moths / genetics*
  • Peptide Elongation Factor 1
  • Peptide Elongation Factors / analysis
  • Peptide Elongation Factors / genetics
  • Phylogeny*

Substances

  • Peptide Elongation Factor 1
  • Peptide Elongation Factors
  • DNA
  • Dopa Decarboxylase

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF015045
  • GENBANK/AF015046
  • GENBANK/AF015047
  • GENBANK/AF015048
  • GENBANK/AF015049
  • GENBANK/AF015050
  • GENBANK/AF015051
  • GENBANK/AF015052
  • GENBANK/AF015053
  • GENBANK/AF015054
  • GENBANK/AF015055
  • GENBANK/AF015056
  • GENBANK/AF015057
  • GENBANK/AF015058
  • GENBANK/AF015059
  • GENBANK/AF015060
  • GENBANK/AF015061
  • GENBANK/AF015062
  • GENBANK/AF015063
  • GENBANK/AF015064
  • GENBANK/AF015065
  • GENBANK/AF015066
  • GENBANK/AF015067
  • GENBANK/AF015068
  • GENBANK/AF015069
  • GENBANK/AF015070
  • GENBANK/AF015071
  • GENBANK/AF015072
  • GENBANK/AF015073
  • GENBANK/AF015074