Abstract
The Rattini tribe comprises some of the most specious genera in the mammalian kingdom. Many of these species are also highly morphologically conserved. As a result, identifying Rattini tribe animals, particularly those of the Rattus genus, to species level is extremely difficult. Problems with identification of conservative morphologies, particularly of the skeleton, have led to difficulties in understanding the fossil remains and as a result the systematics of this group. Here, we apply geometric morphometrics to the first lower molar of 14 species of the Rattini tribe. We find that the morphological data present a strong phylogenetic signal. However, within Rattus, this signal is rather complex and possibly hints at rapid evolutionary shape and size changes. In modern species, it is possible to identify specimens to species level with a good degree of confidence. We find that using both size and shape together affords further confidence with identification. However, we caution against the over-reliance on size in environments with unknown species composition and climate, particularly in archaeological contexts. This approach should prove to be a useful tool for identifying fossil and sub-fossil remains, particularly where biomolecular markers are absent in circumstances of poor preservation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-12 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Journal of Mammalian Evolution |
| Early online date | 19 Jan 2018 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 19 Jan 2018 |
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Keywords
- dental morphology
- geometric morphometrics
- identification
- phylogenetic signal
- Rattini tribe
- Southeast Asia
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Cite this
Dental Shape Variation and Phylogenetic Signal in the Rattini Tribe Species of Mainland Southeast Asia. / Hulme-Beaman, A. (Corresponding Author); Claude, J.; Chaval, Y.; Evin, A.; Morand, S.; Vigne, J. D.; Dobney, K.; Cucchi, T.
In: Journal of Mammalian Evolution, 19.01.2018, p. 1-12.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Dental Shape Variation and Phylogenetic Signal in the Rattini Tribe Species of Mainland Southeast Asia
AU - Hulme-Beaman, A.
AU - Claude, J.
AU - Chaval, Y.
AU - Evin, A.
AU - Morand, S.
AU - Vigne, J. D.
AU - Dobney, K.
AU - Cucchi, T.
PY - 2018/1/19
Y1 - 2018/1/19
N2 - The Rattini tribe comprises some of the most specious genera in the mammalian kingdom. Many of these species are also highly morphologically conserved. As a result, identifying Rattini tribe animals, particularly those of the Rattus genus, to species level is extremely difficult. Problems with identification of conservative morphologies, particularly of the skeleton, have led to difficulties in understanding the fossil remains and as a result the systematics of this group. Here, we apply geometric morphometrics to the first lower molar of 14 species of the Rattini tribe. We find that the morphological data present a strong phylogenetic signal. However, within Rattus, this signal is rather complex and possibly hints at rapid evolutionary shape and size changes. In modern species, it is possible to identify specimens to species level with a good degree of confidence. We find that using both size and shape together affords further confidence with identification. However, we caution against the over-reliance on size in environments with unknown species composition and climate, particularly in archaeological contexts. This approach should prove to be a useful tool for identifying fossil and sub-fossil remains, particularly where biomolecular markers are absent in circumstances of poor preservation.
AB - The Rattini tribe comprises some of the most specious genera in the mammalian kingdom. Many of these species are also highly morphologically conserved. As a result, identifying Rattini tribe animals, particularly those of the Rattus genus, to species level is extremely difficult. Problems with identification of conservative morphologies, particularly of the skeleton, have led to difficulties in understanding the fossil remains and as a result the systematics of this group. Here, we apply geometric morphometrics to the first lower molar of 14 species of the Rattini tribe. We find that the morphological data present a strong phylogenetic signal. However, within Rattus, this signal is rather complex and possibly hints at rapid evolutionary shape and size changes. In modern species, it is possible to identify specimens to species level with a good degree of confidence. We find that using both size and shape together affords further confidence with identification. However, we caution against the over-reliance on size in environments with unknown species composition and climate, particularly in archaeological contexts. This approach should prove to be a useful tool for identifying fossil and sub-fossil remains, particularly where biomolecular markers are absent in circumstances of poor preservation.
KW - dental morphology
KW - geometric morphometrics
KW - identification
KW - phylogenetic signal
KW - Rattini tribe
KW - Southeast Asia
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85040657785&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10914-017-9423-8
DO - 10.1007/s10914-017-9423-8
M3 - Article
SP - 1
EP - 12
JO - Journal of Mammalian Evolution
JF - Journal of Mammalian Evolution
SN - 1064-7554
ER -