Ethiopian highlands as a cradle of the African fossorial root-rats (genus Tachyoryctes), the genetic evidence

Šumbera, Radim; Krásová, Jarmila; Lavrenchenko, Leonid A.; Mengistu, Sewnet; Bekele, Afework; Mikula, Ondřej; Bryja, Josef

doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2018.04.003

Cited by 35 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…This scenario must include the following: (a) the gene flow across GRV, probably during glacial periods, and cross‐breeding of ancestors of A. sp. “Menangesha” and A. blicki , which is suggested by shared traits at DHCR gene and inversion on chromosome 3; (b) rapid karyotype changes (Castiglia et al, ) and evolution of very distinct phenotype of A. blicki (Fadda & Corti, ) in Afroalpine conditions of the Bale/Arsi mountains, probably in response to strong environmental selection (see similar examples in Šumbera et al, ; Kostin et al, ); and (b) hybridization of ancestors of A. blicki with the ancestors of A. abyssinicus , which resulted in the (adaptive?) introgression of mitochondrial DNA of A. blicki into A. abyssinicus , potentially allowing A. abyssinicus to colonize the highest mountains in northwestern Ethiopian plateau.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity and evolution of African Grass Rats (Muridae:Arvicanthis)—From radiation in East Africa to repeated colonization of northwestern and southeastern savannas

Bryja

Colangelo

Lavrenchenko

et al. 2019

J Zool Syst Evol Res

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African Grass Rats of the genus Arvicanthis Lesson, 1842, are one of the most important groups of rodents in sub‐Saharan Africa. They are abundant in a variety of open habitats, they are major agricultural pests, and they became a popular model in physiological research because of their diurnal activity. Despite this importance, information about their taxonomy and distribution is unsatisfactory, especially in eastern Africa. In this study, we collected the most comprehensive multilocus DNA dataset to date across the geographic and taxonomic range of the genus (229 genotyped specimens from 130 localities in 16 countries belonging to all currently recognized species). We reconstructed phylogenetic relationships, mapped the distribution of major genetic clades, and used the combination of cytogenetic, nuclear, and mitochondrial markers for species delimitations and taxonomic suggestions. The genus is composed of two major evolutionary groups, called here the ANSORGEI and NILOTICUS groups. The former contains four presumed species, while the latter is more diverse and we recognized nine species. Most relationships among species are not resolved, which suggests a rapid radiation (dated to early–middle Pleistocene). Further, there is an indication of reticulate evolution in Ethiopia, that is, the region of the highest Arvicanthis diversity. The distribution of genetic diversity suggests diversification in eastern Africa, followed by repeated dispersals to the west (Sudano‐Guinean savannas) and to the south (Masai steppe). We propose nomenclatural changes for Ethiopian taxa and provide suggestions for future steps toward solving remaining taxonomic questions in the genus.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity and evolution of African Grass Rats (Muridae:Arvicanthis)—From radiation in East Africa to repeated colonization of northwestern and southeastern savannas

Bryja

Colangelo

Lavrenchenko

et al. 2019

J Zool Syst Evol Res

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“…Bryja et al 2018a), the remaining groups were able to disperse from their Ethiopian cradle and colonize other mountains south of the Ethiopian Highlands (see e.g. Šumbera et al 2018 andKrásová et al 2019 for more details). The process of speciation in the Ethiopian Highlands is also interesting from a general evolutionary point of view.…”

Section: Evolutionary History Of Ethiopian Rodentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Annotated checklist, taxonomy and distribution of rodents in Ethiopia

et al. 2019

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“…This is reflected in the pattern of genetic diversity of different groups inhabiting Ethiopian highlands: plants (Kebede et al 2007), frogs (Evans et al 2011, Reyes-Velasco et al 2018, large mammals (Gottelli et al 2004, Belay & Mori 2006 and rodents (i.e. Lavrenchenko et al 2004, Bryja et al 2018, Šumbera et al 2018. al .…”

Section: Complex Biogeography Of Ethiopian Highlands and The Role Of mentioning

confidence: 99%

Rodents of Choke Mountain and surrounding areas (Ethiopia): the Blue Nile gorge as a strong biogeographic barrier

Kostin

Martynov

Komarova

et al. 2020

Journal of Vertebrate Biology

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Ethiopian highlands as a cradle of the African fossorial root-rats (genus Tachyoryctes), the genetic evidence

Cited by 35 publications

References 59 publications

Diversity and evolution of African Grass Rats (Muridae:Arvicanthis)—From radiation in East Africa to repeated colonization of northwestern and southeastern savannas

Diversity and evolution of African Grass Rats (Muridae:Arvicanthis)—From radiation in East Africa to repeated colonization of northwestern and southeastern savannas

Annotated checklist, taxonomy and distribution of rodents in Ethiopia

Rodents of Choke Mountain and surrounding areas (Ethiopia): the Blue Nile gorge as a strong biogeographic barrier

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