Multilocus systematics and non-punctuated evolution of Holarctic Myodini (Rodentia: Arvicolinae)

• First multilocus treatment of a diverse Holarctic rodent tribe, Myodini.
• Elevation of the subgenus Craseomys to genus is corroborated.
• Two species of Alticola show mtDNA capture and raise possibility of adaptive acquisition.
• First DNA assessment of Hyperacrius questions its affinity to Myodini.
• Myodini did not diversify via punctuated bursts of diversification.

The tribe Myodini consists of five genera of forest and alpine voles (Alticola, Caryomys, Eothenomys, Hyperacrius and Myodes) distributed throughout the Holarctic. Because mitochondrial evidence has revealed paraphyly and polyphyly among genera, we apply the first multilocus tests to clarify taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships. Our analyses of 28 of 36 species within Myodini, including three not previously sequenced (A. montosa, A. albicaudus, and H. fertilis), identify four distinct clades and provide the first molecular evidence that Hyperacrius may not belong in Myodini. Myodes is paraphyletic, while polyphyly of Alticola reflects apparent ancient mitochondrial introgression. Diversification in this tribe was hypothesized to be tightly linked to Late Cenozoic climatic events, however, lineage through time analysis indicates diversification over the last 4 My was gradual and not strongly punctuated.

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