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Abstract
Phylogenetic reconstructions of the genus Marmota were compared using data based on mitochondrial genes cit b (Kruckenhauser et al. 1999, Steppan et al. 1999, Herron et al. 2004), NADH-dehydrogenase subunit 4 (Kruckenhauser et al. 1999) and D-loop sequences and inter-SINEs nuclear DNA pattern (our data) as molecular markers. These studies present the evidence of a recent origin and North American descent of marmots. Most of the data reveal Nearctic and Palearctic groups of species, but the composition of the groups differ. M. monax and M. broweri are grouped with Nearctic or Palearctic marmots on different trees. Existence on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA trees of closely-related species groups, such as bobak- and camtschatica-groups, reflects a recent Pleistocene evolution. Low mitochondrial and high nuclear genetic distances in the pair M. menzbieri-M. caudata probably indicate their remote hybridization. A genetic affinity of M. vancouverensis and M. caligata demonstrates insufficient time since their separate evolution for the accumulation of speciesspecific molecular differences. Causes of variance in different molecular phylogenetic trees of Marmota are discussed. A consensus phylogenetic tree of the genus Marmota is proposed.