Estimation of the molecular clock rate in lineages of the Drosophila virilis species group

The phylogeny of the Drosophila virilis species group was studied on the basis of five nuclear and mitochondrial genes: Adh, NonA, Fu, Ras1, and 16S-12S rRNA. Mathematical simulation was suggested in order to estimate the uneven accumulation of replacements in lineages of closely related species using an arbitrary number of sequences. This accounts for multiple, parallel, and reverse mutations. Periods of evolution with irregular rates in the virilis species group were reconstructed. A phylogenetic tree for the group was constructed on the basis of neutral variability.