Facing the facts: adaptive trade‐offs along body size ranges determine mammalian craniofacial scaling

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 99(2), P. 496 - 524

Published: Nov. 29, 2023

The mammalian cranium (skull without lower jaw) is representative of diversity and thus particular interest to biologists across disciplines. One widely retrieved pattern accompanying cranial diversification referred as 'craniofacial evolutionary allometry' (CREA). This posits that adults larger species, in a group closely related mammals, tend have relatively longer faces smaller braincases. However, no process has been officially suggested explain this pattern, there are many apparent exceptions, its predictions potentially conflict with well-established biomechanical principles. Understanding the mechanisms behind CREA causes for deviations from therefore tremendous potential allometry cranium. Here, we propose an amended framework characterise more clearly, 'longer faces' can arise through several kinds change, including elongation rostrum, retraction jaw muscles, or narrow shallow skull, which all result generalised gracilisation facial skeleton increased size. We define standardised workflow test presence using allometric shape derived geometric morphometrics analysis, apply 22 families marsupials, rabbits, rodents, bats, carnivores, antelopes, whales. Our results show increasing gracility size common, but not necessarily ubiquitous previously suggested. To address mechanistic basis variation, then review adaptations harder biting. These dictate gracile species must represent structural sacrifice ability produce withstand bites, relative leads us often product bite force phylogenetic niche conservatism, where exhibit similar feeding ecology biting behaviours and, therefore, absolute (size-independent) requirements. Since same forces less effort, relaxed demands permit response bone optimisation alternative selection pressures. Thus, scaling represents adaptive by-product shifting importance selective pressures occurring A reverse 'shortening' accordingly also be found, cases here, incorporate novel involving greater forces. discuss multiple exceptions force-mediated influence on proportions mammals lead argue ecomorphological specialisation likely primary driver patterns, some developmental constraints possible secondary factors. wider range functions when constrained by might why sizes seems prevalent clades. interplay between adaptation constraint ranges presents interesting consideration mechanistically grounded investigation allometry.

Language: Английский

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The first complete mitochondrial genome of Sumatran striped rabbit Nesolagus netscheri (Schlegel, 1880), and its phylogenetic relationship with other Leporidae

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 15, 2025

Language: Английский

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Proximal and underlying geoecological drivers of the current distribution of the volcano rabbit (Romerolagus diazi): new evidence for habitat expansion

Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 96, P. e965201 - e965201

Published: Feb. 10, 2025

The distribution of the endemic endangered volcano rabbit (Romerolagus diazi) has been controversial. We aimed to answer 2 questions: What is current rabbit? and role geological biogeographical processes compared ecological factors in explaining presence or absence this species? A geoecological analysis was carried out areas where method included circular sampling sites 1,000 m2 with equidistance 300 m on contour lines at every 100 m; environmental variables vegetation attributes were measured, evidence recorded by counting latrines 300/m2 per site. Results revealed irrefutable Tláloc Volcano Sierra Nevada: a density 0.047 latrines/m2 new area 1,537 ha obtained. In contrast, species Nevado de Toluca here proven indisputably. Geological biogeographical, human activities, all play rabbit. Implications for its conservation are discussed light habitat importance comprising other sympatric species.

Language: Английский

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Taxonomic status of hares (Lepus spp.) in Xinjiang, China (Lagomorpha: Leporidae): An integrative approach

Zoologica Scripta, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 53(3), P. 282 - 298

Published: Jan. 2, 2024

Abstract The taxonomic status and interspecies relationships of hares (genus Lepus ) in Xinjiang, China, remain ambiguous owing to extremely similar external morphologies, introgressive hybridization between species a lack molecular genetic records. In this study, total 154 hare specimens were used clarify their status. Based on multiple lines evidence, including observations comparisons morphological characteristics, skull morphometrics genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) datasets, four recognised. yarkandensis timidus , which have obvious identified as two distinct species, previously reported. Combining the integrated datasets with relevant literature, we proposed suggestions classification more controversial hares. Due similarities, northern central Xinjiang divided into subspecies tolai namely, lehmanni centrasiaticus . Despite characters, southwest Pamir Plateau its surroundings can be distinguished from L. by differences morphology divergence were, therefore, considered tibetanus pamirensis Furthermore, found that introgression occurred sympatric or parapatric hares, especially

Language: Английский

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Multilevel analysis of integration and disparity in the mammalian skull

Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 77(4), P. 1006 - 1018

Published: Feb. 13, 2023

Biological variation is often considered in a scalable hierarchy, e.g., within the individual, populations, above species level. Morphological integration, concept of covariation among constituent parts an organism, also hierarchical; degree to which these "modules" covary matter scale study as well underlying processes driving covariation. Multilevel analyses trait are valuable tool infer origins and historical persistence morphological diversity. Here, we investigate concordance patterns integration modularity across three biological levels variation: species, two genera-level radiations, at family We demonstrate this approach using skull mammalian Leporidae (rabbits hares), morphologically diverse has rare-among-mammals functional signal locomotion adaptation. tested alternative hypotheses modularity; from most supported investigated disparity each module responsible for cranial levels, whether partitioned consistently levels. found common pattern underlies leporid diversity, though there inconsistency module's integration. The face contributes all propose facilitating evolutionary diversity clade. Therefore, distinctive facial tilt leporids adaptation locomotory behavior facilitated by modular system that allows lineages respond differently selection pressures.

Language: Английский

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Detection of Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 in the Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) in Nevada, USA

Journal of Wildlife Diseases, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 59(2)

Published: June 1, 2023

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2 or Lagovirus GI.2) began circulating in wild lagomorph populations the US March 2020. To date, RHDV2 has been confirmed several species of cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.) and hares (Lepus throughout US. In February 2022, was detected a pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). Pygmy are sagebrush obligates that only occur Intermountain West special concern due to continual degradation fragmentation sagebrush-steppe landscapes. The spread into occupied sites may pose significant threat their because already declining numbers associated with habitat loss high mortality rates.

Language: Английский

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Molecular time estimates for the Lagomorpha diversification

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(9), P. e0307380 - e0307380

Published: Sept. 6, 2024

Despite their importance as members of the Glires group, lagomorph diversification processes have seldom been studied using molecular data. Notably, only a few phylogenetic studies included most examined lineages. Previous that larger sample taxa and markers used nonconservative tests to support branches proposed phylogeny. The objective this study was test monophyly families genera lagomorphs evaluate group process. To end, work expanded sampling in addition implementing bootstrap, more rigorous statistical measure branch support; hence, robust phylogeny recovered. Our supermatrix five mitochondrial genes 14 nuclear for eighty-eight taxa, including three rodent outgroups. maximum likelihood tree showed all tested both families, Leporidae Ochotonidae, were recovered monophyletic. In Ochotona genus, subgenera Conothoa Pika , but not Six calibration points based on fossils construct time tree. A performed (via jackknife) by removing one at estimating divergence times each set. main groups indicated origin order’s crown dated from beginning Palaeogene. estimates Lagomorpha compared with those largest mammalian order, i.e., lineages Muroidea. According our time-resolved tree, leporids underwent major radiation evolving completely new morphospace—larger bodies an efficient locomotor system—that enabled them cover wide foraging areas outrun predators easily than rodents pikas.

Language: Английский

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Auditory region circulation in Lagomorpha: the internal carotid artery pattern revisited

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 378(1880)

Published: May 15, 2023

The internal carotid artery (ICA) is one of the major vessels in cranial circulation. Characters concerning ICA, such as its course auditory region, have been employed frequently phylogenetic analyses mammals, including extinct taxa. In lagomorphs, however, our knowledge on vascular features region has based predominantly living species, mostly European rabbit. We present first survey 11 out 12 extant genera and key fossil taxa stem lagomorphs early crown representatives ( Archaeolagus Prolagus ). ICA pattern shows a modified transpromontorial Litolagus , Megalagus Palaeolagus ) which we propose ancestral character state for Lagomorpha, similar to that earliest rodents, plesiadapids scandentians. leporids perbullar, but structural similarities taxa, whereas extrabullar Ochotona apparently highly derived condition. mixed between route. persistence canal structure among support morphological conservatism contrast their sister clade Rodentia. This article part theme issue ‘The mammalian skull: development, function’.

Language: Английский

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Facing the facts: Adaptive trade-offs along body size ranges determine mammalian craniofacial scaling

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 29, 2023

ABSTRACT The mammalian cranium (skull without lower jaw) is representative of diversity and thus particular interest to biologists across disciplines. One widely retrieved pattern accompanying cranial diversification referred as “craniofacial evolutionary allometry” (CREA). This posits that “adults larger species, in a group closely related mammals, tend have relatively longer faces smaller braincases”. However, no process has been officially suggested explain this pattern, there are many exceptions, its predictions potentially conflict with well-established biomechanical principles. Understanding the mechanisms behind CREA causes for deviations from therefore tremendous potential allometry cranium. Here, we propose an amended framework characterise more clearly, “longer faces” can arise through several kinds change, including elongation rostrum, retraction jaw muscles, or narrow shallow skull, which all result generalised gracilisation facial skeleton increased size. We define standardised workflow test presence using allometric shape derived geometric morphometrics analysis, apply 22 families marsupials, rabbits, rodents, bats, carnivores, antelope, whales. Our results show increasing gracility size common, but not necessarily ubiquitous previously suggested. To address mechanistic basis variation, then review adaptations harder biting. These dictate gracile species must represent sacrifice ability produce withstand bites, relative leads us often product bite force phylogenetic niche conservatism, where exhibit similar feeding ecology biting behaviours and, therefore, absolute (size-independent) requirements. Since same forces less effort, relaxed demands permit response bone optimisation alternative selection pressures. Thus, scaling represents adaptive by-product shifting importance selective pressures occurring A reverse “shortening” accordingly also be found, cases here, incorporate novel involving greater forces. discuss multiple exceptions force-mediated influence on length mammals lead argue ecomorphological specialisation likely primary driver patterns, developmental and/or constraints secondary factor. wider range functions when constrained by might why sizes seems prevalent some clades. interplay between adaptation constraint ranges presents interesting consideration mechanistically grounded investigation allometry.

Language: Английский

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The turbinal skeleton of Pentalagus furnessi (Leporidae, Lagomorpha)

Vertebrate Zoology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 72, P. 423 - 432

Published: June 23, 2022

The turbinal skeleton inside the nasal cavity supports respiratory and olfactory epithelia of mammalian nose can provide systematic morphofunctional information. For first time, Pentalagus furnessi (Amami rabbit) from Japan is described based on µCT scans virtual 3D reconstructions two specimens. In general, resembles pattern characters observed in other Leporidae. maxilloturbinal highly dendritic, nasoturbinal crista semicircularis are close contact form a common recess, frontoturbinal recess houses frontoturbinals one interturbinal between them, ethmoturbinal three ethmoturbinals I II. derived leporid grundplan having lamina with almost straight posterior margin ventral lamella showing single-scrolled relatively short 1 2. These be regarded as autapomorphic for Amami rabbit. Furthermore, specimens have an additional small 2 that shows some variation. This previous observations intraspecific variation certain interturbinals Oryctolagus cuniculus Sylvilagus Lepus species. comparison its possible sister taxon (e.g., Pronolagus , Poelagus or Caprolagus ) reveals puzzling which discussed.

Language: Английский

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