author(s)
Taghi Ghassemi Khademi

abstract
In this research, phylogenetic relationships of eight species from the tribe Tragelaphini were evaluated using complete mitochondrial genomes. Today, the most of the species belonging to the tribe Tragelaphini, face the risk of declining generation and extinction and they are on the red list of IUCN. Therefore, recognizing the evolutionary biology of them is a very positive step in preventing their extinction. In present research, the average base composition of mtDNA sequences was 26.9% T, 25.9% C, 33.6% A, and 13.6% G, showing a strong AT bias (60.5%). The phylogenetic trees were investigated using the ML, ME and NJ methods and found that they have very identical topologies. In general, the results of this study were similar to the other molecular phylogenetic studies and in obvious contradiction with the morphological results. For example, Derby eland (Taurotragus derbianus) shows a very close phylogenetic relationship with other members of the tribe Tragelaphini and should not be in a separate genus. Also, in all of the phylogenetic trees, T. imberbis completely was separated from other species and was not located into a single cluster with them. Undoubtedly, the phylogenetic position of this species should be re-examined. In total, the results of current study showed that the complete mitochondrial genomes are very useful, powerful, and accurate tools for evaluating the phylogenetic relationships of the members of the tribe Tragelaphini. Besides, using these genomes, we can meticulously reconstruct and modify their classification.