A mtDNA phylogeny of bustards (family Otididae) based on nucleotide sequences of the cytochrome b-gene

Phylogenetic relationships of the bustard genera Otis, Ardeotis, Afrotis, Chlamydotis, Eupodotis, Lophotis, and Tetrax were inferred from nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (1143 bp). Otis/Chlamydotis, Ardeotis/Eupodotis rueppellii, and Lophotis/Tetrax cluster as sibling taxa both in MP and ML reconstructions. The genus Eupodotis appears to be polyphyletic. In the genus Chlamydotis two distinct groups are apparent, C u. undulata/C. u. fuertaventurae and C u. macqueenii. In the case of C.u. macqueenii birds from Sinai show a distinct haplotype. Because of substantial genetic, morphological and behavioural differences, it is suggested attributing species rank to C. undulata und C macqueenii.