University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Biochemical investigations of the evolution and systematics of certain pocket mice (Rodentia: Heteromyidae)

McKnight, Mark Leroy

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Description

Title
Biochemical investigations of the evolution and systematics of certain pocket mice (Rodentia: Heteromyidae)
Author(s)
McKnight, Mark Leroy
Issue Date
1989
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Lee, M. Raymond
Department of Study
Biology
Discipline
Biology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • Biology, Molecular
  • Biology, Genetics
  • Biology, Zoology
Language
eng
Abstract
  • Several of the twenty or more species of pocket mice of the subfamily Perognathinae are questionable as to their systematic status and relationship to other species. In this study, three such species are examined. Perognathus amplus and P. longimembris are so similar in morphology and karyotype that at least one worker has proposed that they may be members of a single ring-species demonstrating circular overlap. On the basis of differences in morphology, karyotypes and allozymes between the subspecies of Chaetodipus penicillatus, others have suggested that this taxon may include cryptic species. The subspecies C. p. penicillatus and C. p. pricei were examined here.
  • By examination of mitochondrial DNA, allozymes, morphology, and karyotypes of these taxa, I am able to show that: (1) P. amplus and P. longimembris are distinct taxa (species), each of which contains several distinguishable taxonomic units (subspecies). (2) P. amplus and P. longimembris are not related paraphyletically, as the circular overlap hypothesis would predict, but are two separate monophyletic groups. (3) It is possible that these two species differentiated after becoming isolated by the Colorado River when it attained its modern course. (4) C. p. penicillatus and C. p. pricei often hybridize. The hybrids are capable of backcrossing to either of the parental taxa. Thus, these two taxa are not biological species.
Type of Resource
text
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/23114
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 1989 McKnight, Mark Leroy

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