Historical biogeography and phylogeny of monachine seals (Pinnipedia: Phocidae) based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA data

Aim To determine the origin and diversification of monachine seals using a phylogenetic framework. Methods Molecular sequence data from three mitochondrial genes (cytb, ND1 and 12S), and one nuclear marker (an intron from theα‐lactalbumin gene) were examined from all extant species of monachine seals. Maximum likelihood and partitioned Bayesian inference were used to analyse separate and combined (mitochondrial + nuclear) data sets. Divergence times were estimated from the resultant phylogeny using nonparametric rate smoothing as implemented by the program r8s. Results Mirounga,Monachusand the Lobodontini form three well‐supported clades within a monophyletic Monachinae. Lobodontini + Miroungaform a clade sister toMonachus. Molecular divergence dates indicate that the first split within the Monachinae (Lobodontini + Miroungaclade andMonachus) occurred between 11.8 and 13.8 Ma andMirounga,Monachusand the Lobodontini originated 2.7–3.4, 9.1–10.8 and 10.0–11.6 Ma, respectively. Main conclusions Two main clades exist within Monachinae,Monachusand Lobodontini + Mirounga.Monachus, a warm water clade, originated in the North Atlantic and maintained the temperate water affinities of their ancestors as they diversified in the subtropic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The cold‐water clade, Lobodontini + Mirounga, dispersed southward to the cooler climates of the Southern Hemisphere. The Lobodontini continued south until reaching the Antarctic region where they diversified into the present‐day fauna.Miroungashows an anti‐tropical distribution either reflective of a once cosmopolitan range that was separated by warming waters in the tropics or of transequatorial dispersal.