Phylogeny of the Australian Rodents (Muridae) - a Molecular Approach Using Microcomplement Fixation of Albumin

Abstract

Microcomplement fixation was used to assess albumin evolution in the history of the rodents of Australia. The results confirmed a monophyletic grouping consisting of the genera Pseudomys, Mastacomys and Notomys, and showed that the genus Pseudomys is paraphyletic. The genera Conilurus, Leporillus and Mesembriomys also formed a monophyletic group. A significant finding was that Leggadina was distantly related to all Pseudomys species, and indeed may be the earliest offshoot of all Australian rodents other than Rattus. Albumin evolution in the Australian rodents has occurred in a manner far from clock-like. Mastacomys Thomas, 1882 is synonymised with Pseudomys Gray, 1832.