9423684 Templeton Phylogenetic relationships within the mammalian subfamily Antelopinae (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) will be established using DNA sequence data. The resulting cladogram will then be used in conjunction with modern comparative methods to address previously proposed systematic, biogeographic and adaptationalist hypotheses about antelope evolution. Specific objectives include: 1) testing monophyly at several hierarchical levels including monophyly of the subfamily Antelopinae, the tribes Antilopini and Neotragini, and the genus Gazella, 2) determining the position of the controversial Asian genus Panthalops and Saiga relative to multiple bovid outgroups, 3) determining the geographic origin of the Antelopinae and the direction of migration between Africa and Eurasia, and 4) testing hypotheses that the presence of horns in females arose one and is an adaptation for life in mixed sex herds. %%% This study will re-evaluate current theories of antelope evolution using a phylogenetic framework. The research addresses long standing problems in mammalian biogeography and adaptation. ***
