On the genetic diversity of spiny mice (genus Acomys) and gerbils (genus Gerbillus) in the Arabian Peninsula |
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Authors: | Timothy C. Bray Nigel C. Bennett Osama B. Mohammed Abdulaziz N. Alagaili |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Zoology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia;2. Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, South Africatim_c_bray@hotmail.com;4. Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, South Africa |
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Abstract: | Using non-destructive sampling we provide further genetic characterisations for spiny mice (Acomys dimidiatus/cahirinus) and gerbils (Gerbillus sp.) in three regions in Saudi Arabia. All individuals were sequenced for a fragment of the cytochrome b gene, and compared against available conspecifics and closely related taxa. We confirm the existence of a second Acomys dimidiatus/cahirinus lineage specific to the Arabian Peninsula as seen previously. The Arabian Gerbillus nanus is shown to group with Middle Eastern rather than African conspecifics. A second cryptic Gerbillus lineage was also sampled across multiple locations, which may be an uncharacterised G. dasyurus. |
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Keywords: | Acomys genetic diversity Gerbillus rodents Saudi Arabia |
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