Cranial variation in geographically widespread dwarf gerbil<i>Gerbillus nanus</i>(Gerbillinae, Rodentia) populations: Isolation by distance versus adaptation to local environments

Alhajeri, Bader H.

doi:10.1111/jzs.12247

Cited by 17 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…We attach a scale bar to each sampled camel prior to photography to allow for the extraction of a scaling factor, which allows for the conversion of pixels to real units (i.e., centimeters). The “geometric morphometric” approach of examining morphological variation is commonly employed to extract data from zoological specimens (Zelditch et al, 2004; Alhajeri, 2018), and has recently been used to characterize morphological variation in live horses (Druml et al, 2015). More advanced methods of quantifying morphometric variation in camels in three-dimensions may also be implemented in the future.…”

Section: Camel Morphometricsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cdrom Archive: A Gateway to Study Camel Phenotypes

Alhaddad

Alhajeri

2019

Front. Genet.

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Camels are livestock that exhibit unique morphological, biochemical, and behavioral traits, which arose by natural and artificial selection. Investigating the molecular basis of camel traits has been limited by: (1) the absence of a comprehensive record of morphological trait variation (e.g., diseases) and the associated mode of inheritance, (2) the lack of extended pedigrees of specific trait(s), and (3) the long reproductive cycle of the camel, which makes the cost of establishing and maintaining a breeding colony (i.e., monitoring crosses) prohibitively high. Overcoming these challenges requires (1) detailed documentation of phenotypes/genetic diseases and their likely mode of inheritance (and collection of related DNA samples), (2) conducting association studies to identify phenotypes/genetic diseases causing genetic variants (instead of classical linkage analysis, which requires extended pedigrees), and (3) validating likely causative variants by screening a large number of camel samples from different populations. We attempt to address these issues by establishing a systematic way of collecting camel DNA samples, and associated phenotypic information, which we call the “Cdrom Archive.” Here, we outline the process of building this archive to introduce it to other camel researchers (as an example). Additionally, we discuss the use of this archive to study the phenotypic traits of Arabian Peninsula camel breeds (the “Mezayen” camels). Using the Cdrom Archive, we report variable phenotypic traits related to the coat (color, length, and texture), ear and tail lengths, along with other morphological measurements.

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Section: Camel Morphometricsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cdrom Archive: A Gateway to Study Camel Phenotypes

Alhaddad

Alhajeri

2019

Front. Genet.

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“…climate, elevation) and the distribution of species or their traits forms the basis for many macroecological studies aiming at describing ecological trends and species assemblages across large spatial extents (e.g. Alhajeri, 2016;Alhajeri, 2018;Alhajeri, 2019;Alhajeri, Hunt, & Steppan, 2015;Alhajeri & Steppan, 2018a, 2018bBonetti & Wiens, 2014;Fristoe et al, 2015;McQuillan & Rice, 2015;Wan, Wang, Tan, & Yu, 2017). In this, empirical observation of correlations between the variation in environmental and morphological traits has led to the definition of ecogeographical rules (Gaston, Chown, & Evans, 2008) such as Bergmann's rule that involves examining intra-or inter-specific body size variation across space (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High correlation between species‐level environmental data estimates extracted from IUCN expert range maps and from GBIF occurrence data

Alhajeri

Fourcade

2019

Journal of Biogeography

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Aim The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) expert range maps and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) species occurrence data are commonly used to estimate species’ geographic range. Macroecological studies often cross‐reference geographic range data with a climate dataset, to extract the mean environmental conditions encountered by a species within its geographic range. We aimed to assess the consistency of the environmental data estimates derived from IUCN versus GBIF geographic range data, and to test whether such differences may affect estimates of ecogeographical relationships, such as Bergmann's rule. Location Worldwide. Time period Around 2000. Taxa Rodents (Rodentia). Methods We first assessed the correlation between environmental data estimates (19 bioclimatic variables and elevation) derived from IUCN versus GBIF geographic range data of 1,315 rodent species, comparing how range size, conservation status, habitat, zoogeographic realm or elevation changed these correlations. Then, we compared the association between body mass and climate (mean temperature and precipitation) when the latter are derived from IUCN or GBIF data. Results There was high correlation between environmental data estimates derived from IUCN versus GBIF data, especially when excluding GBIF occurrences outside of IUCN polygons. Species’ characteristics, or using the mean or median, did not change the consistency between estimates. Overall, GBIF occurrence data and IUCN range maps produced similar patterns of body mass—climate correlations. Main conclusions At the large spatial and taxonomic scale employed in this study, there does not seem to be any considerable differences in the average environmental data estimates derived from IUCN versus GBIF geographic range data. This result indicates that both sources of geographic range data could be used independently or in concert for macroecological inferences that involve summarizing species’ niches by a single estimate of the average of their used environments.

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“…For the first time, we combined genetic and morphometric data for specimens across most of the geographic range on the libyan jird. It is well known that skull morphology in rodents is influenced by climatic factors (Alhajeri, ). For example, ventral cranium morphology is associated with climate (Alhajeri, ), and aridity is strongly associated with inflation and hypertrophy of tympanic bullae in small mammals (Alhajeri, Hunt, & Steppan, ; Alhajeri & Steppan, ; Colangelo, Castiglia, Franchini, & Solano, ; Mason, ; Pavlinov & Rogovin, ; Tabatabaei Yazdi & Adriaens, ; Tabatabaei Yazdi et al, , ; Webster & Webster, ), and the same is true for elongation and narrowness of nasal (Alhajeri & Steppan, ; Cortes, Zuleta, & Rosenmann, ; Feldhamer, Drickamer, Vessey, Merritt, & Krajewski, ; Lay, ; Ojeda et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematics and evolution of the libyan jird based on molecular and morphometric data

Dianat

Darvish

Aliabadian

et al. 2019

J Zool Syst Evol Res

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The libyan jird is one of the most widely distributed species among wild rodents, with its range extending from Morocco to China. Fifteen subspecies were described but their validity and the phylogenetic relationships among them are uncertain. Based on a comprehensive sampling, this study aims to define subspecies limits within Meriones libycus and to discuss the factors driving subspecific diversification. We used an integrative approach combining molecular (Cytochrome b and Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit 1 genes) and geometric morphometric data. Genetic data allowed us to identify three allopatric lineages within M. libycus: Western lineage in North Africa, Central lineage in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria, and Eastern lineage in Iran, Afghanistan, and China. These three lineages can also be differentiated based on skull morphology. Our results support the existence of at least three subspecies within the libyan jird: Meriones libycus libycus, M. l. syrius, and Meriones libycus erythrourus. Based on our divergence time estimates, all divergence events within M. libycus probably occurred during the Pleistocene, after 1.597 Ma. Quaternary climate fluctuations in the Sinai Peninsula explain the differentiation between the African M. l. libycus and the Levant‐Arabian M. l. syrius. The differentiation of M. l. syrius with respect to the eastern M. l. erythrourus is putatively linked to the climatic fluctuations and tectonic activity of the Zagros Mountains and/or the Mesopotamia Plain of Iraq during the Pleistocene.

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Cranial variation in geographically widespread dwarf gerbilGerbillus nanus(Gerbillinae, Rodentia) populations: Isolation by distance versus adaptation to local environments

Cited by 17 publications

References 60 publications

Cdrom Archive: A Gateway to Study Camel Phenotypes

Cdrom Archive: A Gateway to Study Camel Phenotypes

High correlation between species‐level environmental data estimates extracted from IUCN expert range maps and from GBIF occurrence data

Systematics and evolution of the libyan jird based on molecular and morphometric data

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