General paper
Low levels of protein divergence detected between Gavialis and Tomistoma: Evidence for crocodilian monophyly?

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Abstract

  • 1.

    1. Eighteen homologous blood proteins were compared among the 21 living species of the order Crocodilia using immunodiffusion, fingerprint and starch gel electrophoretic techniques.

  • 2.

    2. All results were concordant in aligning the true gavial (Gavialis gangeticus) and the false gavial (Tomistoma schlegelii) in a lineage that is clearly distinguishable from other living crocodilians.

  • 3.

    3. The true gavial is apparently not as phylogenetically distinct from other crocodilians as previous morphological and paleontological studies have suggested.

  • 4.

    4. These data suggest that the living members of the order Crocodilia represent a monophyletic association.

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    Present Address: Division of Biological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA (Tel. 313 764-1440).

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