Abstract
Levels of sequence variation in mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene were examined to ascertain if this molecule can provide a reference point in making decisions concerning species-level distinctions. DNA-sequence data from 4 genera of rodents (Neotoma, Reithrodontomys, Peromyscus,and Sigmodon) and 7 genera of bats (Artibeus, Carollia, Chiroderma, Dermanura, Glossophaga, Rhinophylla,and Uroderma), including recognized sister species, were examined to develop hypotheses for evaluating levels of sequence variation. Several patterns associated with DNA-sequence variation emerged from this study. Specifically, genetic distance values ,2% were indicative of intraspecific variation; values between 2 and 11% had a high probability of being indicative of conspecific populations or valid species and merit additional study concerning specific status; and values .11% were indicative of specific recognition. It appears that genetic distance values may be useful for determination of species boundaries under the framework of the Genetic Species Concept.
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