Chromosomal phylogeny of forty-two species or subspecies of cercopithecoids (Primates Catarrhini)

Abstract

After comparison of the chromosomes of 42 species or subspecies belonging to Cercopithecinae, Papioninae and Colobidae, a phylogeny based on the sequence of chromosomal rearrangements is proposed for Cercopithecoidea. From their last common ancestor, which possessed 46 chromosomes, a trifurcation gave 3 branches, very unequal as regards chromosomal rearrangements. One, very short, leads to Papioninae. Another, still poorly known, leads to Colobidae. The last branch leads to a further bifurcation, separating 2 groups of Cercopithecinae, with underwent the most active chromosomal evolution. A tentative to reconcile chromosomal, biochemical and morphological data is presented for Papioninae, for which chromosome study alone is not sufficient to construct a cladogram.