Pattern of shape variation in the eastern African gerbils of the genus Gerbilliscus (Rodentia, muridae): Environmental correlations and implication for taxonomy and systematics

摘要: Abstract Gerbilliscus has been in recent years the subject of new molecular and karyological investigations that shed light on evolutionary processes this taxon. However, patterns phenotypic diversification remain poorly understood. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses posed questions concerning systematics taxonomy whole genus revealed possible occurrence cryptic species hence need to carry out a taxonomic revision. We used geometric morphometrics investigate adaptive value morphological changes elucidate systematic relationships status east Africa. Our results show concordance between genetic boundaries. observed differences appear not only related hereditary characters. In fact, correlation with climatic variables suggests an shape different trophic resources availability. Finally, discriminant analysis eastern Africa highlight distinctiveness G. vicinus, clearly separated from robustus nigricaudus .