Phylogenetic Relationships of Taxa In The Anatidae Family Using Three Mitochondrial Gene Sequences

Abstract

Anatidae is an attractive family of waterfowl including ducks, geese, and swans. Anatidae appears stable at the family level, but the systematics of subfamilies and many tribes within it are a matter of debate. Current taxonomy studies are carried out using morpho-ecological and molecular characters to organize many species within Anatidae. In the presented study, three mitochondrial gene sequences were used for the first time to test the Anatidae family with a large number of taxa using Bayesian inference and Maximum Likelihood algorithms. According to the analysis results, Anatini, Athyini, Anserini, Cygnini, Oxyurini, and Dendrocygnini appear to be monophyletic within Anatidae (Mergini, Tadornini are not monophyletic). Also, Anas, Mergus, and Tadorna genera are not monophyletic taxa.