The evolutionary relationships between Peromyscus, Habromys, Isthmomys, Megadontomys, Neotomodon,... more The evolutionary relationships between Peromyscus, Habromys, Isthmomys, Megadontomys, Neotomodon, Osgoodomys, and Podomys are poorly understood. In order to further explore the evolutionary boundaries of Peromyscus and compare potential taxonomic solutions for this diverse group and its relatives, we conducted phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence data from alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh1-I2), beta fibrinogen (Fgb-I7), interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (Rbp3), and cytochrome-b (Cytb). Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear genes produced similar topologies although levels of nodal support varied. The best-supported topology was obtained by combining nuclear and mitochondrial sequences. No monophyletic Peromyscus clade was supported. Instead, support was found for a clade containing Habromys, Megadontomys, Neotomodon, Osgoodomys, Podomys, and Peromyscus suggesting paraphyly of Peromyscus and confirming previous observations. Our analyses indicated an early divergence of Isthmomys from Peromyscus (approximately 8 million years ago), whereas most other peromyscine taxa emerged within the last 6 million years. To recover a monophyletic taxonomy from Peromyscus and affiliated lineages, we detail 3 taxonomic options in which Habromys, Megadontomys, Neotomodon, Osgoodomys, and Podomys are retained as genera, subsumed as subgenera, or subsumed as species groups within Peromyscus. Each option presents distinct taxonomic challenges, and the appropriate taxonomy must reflect the substantial levels of morphological divergence that characterize this group while maintaining the monophyletic relationships obtained from genetic data.
Mammal trapping efforts were conducted during the summer and fall of 2014 at sites in five counti... more Mammal trapping efforts were conducted during the summer and fall of 2014 at sites in five counties in Texas (Delta, Fayette, Hopkins, Lubbock, and Dickens). These efforts resulted in 18 county records involving: one soricomorph, one chiropteran, one lagomorph, one cingulate, and ten species of rodents. The species record for Microtus extends the range substantially southward into the central region of the Llano Estacado in Texas. These records expand our knowledge of the distribution and occurrence of mammals in Texas.
DNA sequences were obtained from the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene of nine specimens of Nyctomy... more DNA sequences were obtained from the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene of nine specimens of Nyctomys sumichrasti collected in Mexico and Central America. Phylogenetic analysis (Bayesian Inference) of these sequences document heretofore unrecognized patterns in genetic diversity among phylogroups that: 1) indicated substantial levels of genetic divergence among phylogroups; 2) resulted in paraphyly of taxa currently recognized as N. sumichrasti; and 3) argued for a re-assessment of the current taxonomy of Nyctomys and perhaps recognition of a new genus.
The evolutionary relationships between Peromyscus, Habromys, Isthmomys, Megadontomys, Neotomodon,... more The evolutionary relationships between Peromyscus, Habromys, Isthmomys, Megadontomys, Neotomodon, Osgoodomys, and Podomys are poorly understood. In order to further explore the evolutionary boundaries of Peromyscus and compare potential taxonomic solutions for this diverse group and its relatives, we conducted phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence data from alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh1-I2), beta fibrinogen (Fgb-I7), interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (Rbp3), and cytochrome-b (Cytb). Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear genes produced similar topologies although levels of nodal support varied. The best-supported topology was obtained by combining nuclear and mitochondrial sequences. No monophyletic Peromyscus clade was supported. Instead, support was found for a clade containing Habromys, Megadontomys, Neotomodon, Osgoodomys, Podomys, and Peromyscus suggesting paraphyly of Peromyscus and confirming previous observations. Our analyses indicated an early divergence of Isthmomys from Peromyscus (approximately 8 million years ago), whereas most other peromyscine taxa emerged within the last 6 million years. To recover a monophyletic taxonomy from Peromyscus and affiliated lineages, we detail 3 taxonomic options in which Habromys, Megadontomys, Neotomodon, Osgoodomys, and Podomys are retained as genera, subsumed as subgenera, or subsumed as species groups within Peromyscus. Each option presents distinct taxonomic challenges, and the appropriate taxonomy must reflect the substantial levels of morphological divergence that characterize this group while maintaining the monophyletic relationships obtained from genetic data.
Mammal trapping efforts were conducted during the summer and fall of 2014 at sites in five counti... more Mammal trapping efforts were conducted during the summer and fall of 2014 at sites in five counties in Texas (Delta, Fayette, Hopkins, Lubbock, and Dickens). These efforts resulted in 18 county records involving: one soricomorph, one chiropteran, one lagomorph, one cingulate, and ten species of rodents. The species record for Microtus extends the range substantially southward into the central region of the Llano Estacado in Texas. These records expand our knowledge of the distribution and occurrence of mammals in Texas.
DNA sequences were obtained from the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene of nine specimens of Nyctomy... more DNA sequences were obtained from the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene of nine specimens of Nyctomys sumichrasti collected in Mexico and Central America. Phylogenetic analysis (Bayesian Inference) of these sequences document heretofore unrecognized patterns in genetic diversity among phylogroups that: 1) indicated substantial levels of genetic divergence among phylogroups; 2) resulted in paraphyly of taxa currently recognized as N. sumichrasti; and 3) argued for a re-assessment of the current taxonomy of Nyctomys and perhaps recognition of a new genus.
Uploads
in 18 county records involving: one soricomorph, one chiropteran, one lagomorph, one cingulate, and ten species of rodents. The species record for Microtus extends the range substantially
southward into the central region of the Llano Estacado in Texas. These records expand our knowledge of the distribution and occurrence of mammals in Texas.
in 18 county records involving: one soricomorph, one chiropteran, one lagomorph, one cingulate, and ten species of rodents. The species record for Microtus extends the range substantially
southward into the central region of the Llano Estacado in Texas. These records expand our knowledge of the distribution and occurrence of mammals in Texas.