Abstract
I discuss the contribution of cytogenetic data to studies of systematics, phylogeny and speciation of several nocturnal lemurs. I examine specific distribution in Avahi and Lepilemur and propose a chromosomal mechanism involved in speciation of these two genera. I compare the contribution of cytogenetics to that of other techniques such as mitochondrial DNA sequencing. In rare situations wherein the respective systematic conclusions are contradictory, cytogenetic evidence clearly appears to be better supported.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Bachmann, L., Rumpler, Y., Ganzhorn, J. U., and Tomiuk, J. (2000). Genetic differentiation among natural populations of Lepilemur ruficaudatus. Int. J. Primatol. 21: 853–864.
Buettner-Janusch, J., Swomley, B. A., Chu, and E. H. Y. (1966). Le nombre chromosomique de certains lémuriens de Madagascar et les problémes de différenciation des espéces. Cah. ORSTOM Biol. 2: 3–7.
Caspersson, T., Zech, L., and Johannisson, C. (1970). Analysis of human metaphase chromosome set by aid of DNA banding fluorescent agent. Exp. Cell Res. 62: 490–496.
Chiarelli, B. (1963). Comparative morphometric analysis of primate chromosomes. III. The chromosomes of the genera Hylobates, Colobus and Presbytis. Caryologia 16: 637–648.
Dobzhansky, T. (1972). Species of Drosophila. Science 177 (50): 664–669.
DelPero, M., Crovella, S., Cervella, P., Ardito, G., and Rumpler, Y. (1995). Phylogenetic relationships among Malagasy lemurs as revealed by mitochondrialDNA sequence analysis. Primates 36: 431–440.
DelPero, M., Masters, J. C., Zuccon, D., Cervella, P., Crovella, S., and Ardito, G. (2000). Mitochondrial sequences as indicators of generic classification in bush babies. Int. J. Primatol. 21: 889–904.
Dutrillaux, B. (1979). Chromosomal evolution in primates: Tentative phylogeny from Microcebus murinus (prosimians) to man. Ann. Génét. 48: 251–314.
Dutrillaux, B., and Lejeune, J. (1971). Sur une nouvelle technique d'analyse de caryotype humain. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 272: 2638–2640.
Gabriel-Robez, O., and Rumpler, Y. (1994). The meiotic pairing behaviour in human spermatocytes carrier of chromosome anomalies and their repercussions on reproductive fitness. I: Inversions and insertions. A European collaborative study. Ann. Génét. 37(1): 3–10.
Gabriel-Robez, O., and Rumpler, Y. (1996). The meiotic pairing behaviour in human spermatocytes carrier of chromosome anomalies and their repercussions on reproductive fitness. II. Robertsonian and reciprocal translocations. A European study. Ann. Génét. 39(1): 17–25.
Ishak, B., Warter, S., Dutrillaux, B., and Rumpler, Y. (1988). Phylogenetic relation between Lepilemuridae and other Lemuriform families. Am. J. Primatol. 15: 275–280.
Johannisson, R., and Winking, H. (1994). Synaptonemal complexes of chains and rings in mice heterozygous for multiple Robertsonian translocations. Chromosome Research 2: 137–145.
Montagnon, D., Ravoarimanana, B., and Rumpler, Y. (1999). Phylogeny of Lepilemuridae. Lemur News 4: 33.
Moses, M. J., Karatsis, P. A., and Hamilton, A. E. (1979). Synaptonemal complex analysis of heteromorphic trivalents in lemur hybrids. Chromosoma 70: 141–160.
Petit, G. (1933). Le genre Lepidolemur et sa répartition géographique. C. R. Soc. Biogéogr. Paris, X: 33–37.
Petter, J. J., Albignac, A., and Rumpler, Y. (1977). Mammifè res Lémuriens (Primates Prosimiens). Faune de Madagascar, ORSTOM-CNRS (eds.), Paris, Vol. 44, N. 1.
Petter, J. J., and Petter-Rousseaux, A. (1960). Remarque sur la systématique du genre Lepilemur. Mammalia 24: 76–86.
Ratomponirina, C., Brun, B., and Rumpler, Y. (1988). Synaptonemal complexes in Robertsonian translocation heterozygous in lemurs. In (Brandham, P. E., ed.), Kew Chromosomes (HMSO). London, pp. 65–73.
Razafindraibe, H., Montagnon, D., and Rumpler, Y. (1997). Phylogenetic relationships among Indriidae (Primates, Strepsirhini) inferred from highly repeated DNA band patterns. C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Sciences de la Vie 320: 469–475.
Richard, F., and Dutrillaux, B. (1996). Simultaneous obtention of an intense G banding and chromosome painting. Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 74: 124–126.
Rumpler, Y., Warter, S., Rabarivola, C., Petter, J. J., and Dutrillaux, B. (1990). Chromosomal evolution in Malagasy lemurs. XII. Chromosomal banding study of Avahi laniger occidentalis (syn: Lichanotus laniger occidentalis) and cytogenetic data in favour of its classification in a species apart-Avahi occidentalis. Am. J. Primato. 21: 307–316.
Rumpler, Y., and Albignac, R. (1975). Intraspecific chromosome variability in a lemur from the north of Madagascar: Lepilemur septentrionalis, species nova. Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 42: 425–430.
Rumpler, Y., and Albignac, R. (1978). Chromosomes studies of the Lepilemur, an endemic Malagasy genus of lemurs: Contribution of the cytogenetics to their taxonomy. J. Hum. Evol. 7: 191–196.
Rumpler, Y., and Dutrillaux, B. (1990). Chromosomal Evolution and Speciation in Primates. R.B.C., University of the Basque Country (ed.), Vol. 23, Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/New York.
Rumpler, Y., Gabriel-Robez, O., and Ratomponirina, C. (1992). Autosomal rearrangements and reproductive failure in man. In (Colpi, G. M., and Pozza, D., eds.), Diagnosing Male Infertility. Prog. Reprod. Biol. Med., Karger, Basel, Vol. 15, pp. 164–177.
Rumpler, Y., Warter, S., Dutrillaux, B. (1988). Chromosomal evolution of Malagasy lemurs. XI. Phylogenetic position of Daubentonia madagascariensis. Folia Primatol. 50: 124–129.
Tattersall, I. (1982). The Primates of Madagascar. Columbia University Press, New York.
Vezuli, A., Hauwy, M., Warter, S., and Rumpler, Y. (1997). Chromosome painting: An available method to test the chromosomal changes during evolution of lemurs. Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 78: 147–152.
Vezuli, A., and Rumpler, Y. (in press). Lemur chromosomal study with simultaneous Rbanding and chromosome painting. Chromosoma.
Warter, S., Hauwy, M., and Rumpler, Y. (2000). Chromosome painting technique contributes to constructions of evolutionary trees of lemurs. Int. J. Primatol. 22: 905–913.
Weinberg, J., Stanyon, R., Jauch, A., and Cremer, T. (1992). Homologies in human and Macaco fuscata chromosomes revealed by in situ supression hybridization with human chromosome-specific DNA libraries. Chromosoma 101: 265–270.
White, M. J. D. (1973). Animal Cytology and Evolution, 3rd ed. Cambridge University Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rumpler, Y. What Cytogenetic Studies May Tell Us about Species Diversity and Speciation of Lemurs. International Journal of Primatology 21, 865–881 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005598726749
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005598726749