Molecular Evolution and Systematics of Marmosets (Primates: Callithrix)

尽管收集了大量关于一种绒猴的实验室数据，但这一类的分类仍然存在很大争议。目前对该属的物种多样性有很大的不同意见，有3到15种被不同的科学家识别，系统发育关系也有许多不确定的地方。该项目的主要目标是利用非侵入性获取的毛发样本，基于线粒体和核基因座的DNA序列变异，建立Callithrix的可比较的分子遗传系统学。这一系统发育应该可以解决Callithrix系统学中的许多问题，包括进化关系、可能的杂交种的状态以及物种和亚种的划分。最后，将获得与更广泛的进化问题相关的信息，包括不同环境中进化分化的速度(大西洋森林与亚马逊)，以及正交化的一个潜在例子--超色理论。

Despite a wealth of laboratory data collected on one species of marmosets, the taxonomy of this groups remains highly controversial. Current opinion varies widely on the species diversity within this genus, Callithrix, with between three and fifteen species being recognized by different scientists, and there are many uncertainties about phylogenetic relationships. The major goal of this project is the preparation of a comparable molecular genetic phylogeny of Callithrix, based on DNA sequence variation at both mitochondrial and nuclear loci, using hair samples obtained non-invasively. This phylogeny should resolve many issues in Callithrix systematics, including evolutionary relationships, status of possible hybrids, and the delineation of species and subspecies. Finally, information relevant to broader evolutionary issues will be obtained, including the tempo of evolutionary differentiation in different environments (Atlantic forest vs. Amazonia), and a potential example of orthogenesis, the theory of metachromism.