CHROMOSOMES AND PHYLOGEOGRAPHY OF SYLVILAGUS (MAMMALIA, LEPORIDAE) FROM EASTERN BRAZIL

Abstract

A large geographic differentiation has been reported in Sylvilagus brasiliensis based on external characters and a small number of samples. Karyologic and molecular studies as well as new sampling efforts are need to a better understanding of the S. brasiliensis complex diversity. A new karyotype with 2n=40 and FNa=74 from Rio de Janeiro is here reported. Phylogenetic analyses based on cytochrome b DNA sequence of eight samples from the states of Paraíba, Tocantins, Goiás, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro suggested a strong structured population. Both, molecular and karyotypic data suggest that the diversity in the study area may be larger than that reported in the literature on the basis of external characters.