Phylogeny of the Cercopithecus lhoesti Group Revisited: Combining Multiple Character Sets

Abstract

The phylogeny of the forest living, semi terrestrial Cercopithecus lhoesti group is revisited, using morphological, behavioral, acoustical and karyological characters in a simultaneous analysis. Results support monophyly of the group, with either Cercopithecus lhoesti and C. preussi, or C. lhoesti and C. solatus clustering first. A cluster Cercopithecus preussi-C. solatus is not supported, despite their much closer geographic distribution. Concerning the evolution of communication in this group, and despite their forest living habits, their common visual display associating vivid blue scrotum and question mark-shaped posture of the tail recall those of open habitat species. However, Cercopithecus solatus and C. preussi further evolved a divergent reinforcement of communication signals. An orange tail tip is an original feature of Cercopithecus solatus, while the presence of peculiar loud calls in C. preussi is functionally convergent with other forest living cercopithecines.