Calibration of Partial Anatidae Molecular Clocks

【Objective】The divergence times of Anatidae were estimated in order to investigate their genetic background.【Method】 The mitochondrial cytochrome b(Cyt b) gene sequences of 44 individuals in Chinese domestic geese(15 breeds) and European domestic geese(2 breeds) were sequenced.The consensus sequence of Cyt b was obtained from the Anser anser and Anser cygnoides,respectively,together with 13 partial sequences of Cyt b gene in other birds(4 sequences form Galliformes,9 from Anseriformes) provided at NCBI,were totally constructed a 15 sequences database for the next step analysis.And the divergence time between Anseriformes and Galliformes was chosen as an anchor point to calibrate the Anatidae molecular clocks using a sequence calibration method.【Result】The results show that the estimation of the divergence time between Phasianidae and Anatidae is 101.798 MYA(Poisson Model) and 129.461 MYA(Gamma Model).The estimation of divergence time between Anser and Anatinae is 55.1225 MYA(Poisson Model) and 62.5223 MYA(Gamma Model).【Conclusion】The divergence of the two basal groups(Phasianidae/Anatidae,Anser/Anatinae)took place in the Cretaceous period(146-65 MYA).These results are consistent with the view that avian was originated in the Cretaceous period.