The phylogeny of the Praomys complex (Rodentia: Muridae) and its phylogeographic implications |
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Authors: | E LECOMPTE L GRANJON & C DENYS |
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Institution: | Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Laboratoire Zoologie Mammifères &Oiseaux, Paris, France,;Laboratoire de Mammalogie, IRD (ex-ORSTOM), Bamako, Mali |
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Abstract: | Among the African Murinae (Rodentia, Muridae), the Praomys complex, whose systematics has been studied by different approaches, has raised numerous taxonomic problems. Different taxa, namely Praomys, Mastomys , Myomys and Hylomyscus have been considered either as separate genera or subgenera of Praomys . In order to understand the relationships within the Praomys complex and to test the monophyly of the genus Praomys , a cladistic analysis was conducted, based on morpho-anatomical factors involving different species of Praomys , Mastomys , Myomys and Hylomyscus. The results indicate that the Praomys complex is monophyletic, as are the genera Hylomyscus , Mastomys and Myomys , whereas the genus Praomys appears paraphyletic. Indeed, a group of species including Praomys jacksoni was found to be more closely related to the genera Mastomys and Myomys than to a Praomys tullbergi -group. The biotopes and the distribution areas of the species were mapped on the phylogeny. It appears that the different clades each present a relative ecological cohesion and are arranged according to a gradient from closed to open habitats. From there, an evolutionary scenario is proposed for the emergence of the different clades and species of the genus Praomys sensu stricto. |
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Keywords: | Murinae phylogeny cladistic analysis phylogeography evolutionary scenario forest refuges |
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