1
|
Austrich A, Tomasco IH, Mapelli FJ, Kittlein MJ, Cutrera AP, Mora MS. Appearances are deceptive: a cryptic lineage within the assumed distributional boundaries of Ctenomys talarum (Rodentia, Ctenomyidae). J Mammal 2023. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyac116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The coastal dunes of the southeast of Buenos Aires province, Argentina, present two different described species of tuco-tucos: Ctenomys talarum and C. australis. Formerly, C. talarum was subdivided into three subspecies (C. t. talarum, C. t. recessus, and C. t. occidentalis), mainly based on its geographic distribution and phenotypic variation in characters of external morphology (e.g., body size and pelage color). This study assesses the phylogenetic relationships of C. talarum, focusing on the populations at the western end of its coastal distribution (localities of Pehuen-Có and Sauce Grande), which have been previously identified as highly genetically divergent. In this regard, populations distributed throughout the range of the species were sampled. Complete DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (1,140 bp), partial sequences of the mitochondrial D-loop region (426 bp), and partial sequences of the nuclear DNA intron 8 of the β-fibrinogen (about 870 bp) gene were used for the analyses. Phylogenetic inferences based on mitochondrial and nuclear markers were performed separately or combined to obtain a species tree. Populations distributed at the western end of the coastal dunes (between Pehuen-Có and Sauce Grande), previously assumed as C. talarum, were found to belong to an independent lineage relative to the other populations from the Pampas region. The average genetic distance between these two lineages is within the order of the genetic distances observed between different species of the genus. Also, our results show that this lineage of Ctenomys presents a high affinity with the magellanicus group, which is distributed further south, in Patagonia. In conclusion, tuco-tuco populations occurring in the coastal expanse between these two localities should be considered a possible distinct cryptic species, highly differentiated from C. talarum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ailin Austrich
- Departamento de Biologia, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC, CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata , Dean Funes 3250, 3rd Floor, 7600 Mar del Plata , Argentina
| | - Ivanna Haydée Tomasco
- Departamento de Ecología y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República , Iguá 4225, Montevideo 11400 , Uruguay
| | - Fernando Javier Mapelli
- División Mastozoología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia” CONICET , Angel Gallardo 470, Buenos Aires C1405DJR , Argentina
| | - Marcelo Javier Kittlein
- Departamento de Biologia, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC, CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata , Dean Funes 3250, 3rd Floor, 7600 Mar del Plata , Argentina
| | - Ana Paula Cutrera
- Departamento de Biologia, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC, CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata , Dean Funes 3250, 3rd Floor, 7600 Mar del Plata , Argentina
| | - Matías Sebastián Mora
- Departamento de Biologia, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC, CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata , Dean Funes 3250, 3rd Floor, 7600 Mar del Plata , Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mapelli FJ, Teta P, Contreras F, Pereyra D, Priotto JW, Coda JA. Looking under stones: A new Ctenomys species from the rocky foothills of the Sierras Grandes of central Argentina. J MAMM EVOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10914-022-09634-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
3
|
Using Remote Sensing Data and Species–Environmental Matching Model to Predict the Potential Distribution of Grassland Rodents in the Northern China. REMOTE SENSING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/rs14092168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
An increase in grassland rodent pests in China has seriously affected grassland ecological environments and the development of husbandry. Here, we used remote sensing data and a species–environmental matching model to predict the potential spatial distribution of the five major rodent pest species (Microtus, Citellus, Myospalax, Meriones, Ochotona) in northern China, and examined how the predicted suitability of the area depends on environmental variables. The results were consistent and significant, better than random, and close to optimal. Meriones and Microtus had the largest areas of High Suitability and Moderate Suitability with regard to environmental conditions. The combination analysis of areas of Moderate Suitability and High Suitability showed that for 66% of the total area, conditions were suitable for just one rodent species, while conditions suitable for two and three kinds of rodents accounted for 31% and 3%, respectively. Altitude, land surface temperature in winter (November, December, February) and summer (May, June, July), vegetation cover in summer (July, August), and precipitation from spring to summer (April, May, June) determined the spatial distribution of grassland rodents. Our findings provide a powerful and useful methodological tool for tracking the five major rodent pest species in northern China and for future management measures to ensure grassland ecological environment security.
Collapse
|