Morphometric variation of the common shrew Sorex araneus in Poland, in relation to karyotype

Abstract

Morphometric differentiation among six chromosome races of the common shrew Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758 in Poland was examined by the use of 26 orthogonal mandibular measurements in 388 specimens. The discriminant function analysis (DFA) performed on 21 morphological variables led to a correct classification in 59.3% of cases. Comparison of morphological and chromosomal distances showed that there is no significant agreement; the two matrices were apparently discordant (cophenetic correlation coefficient, r coph = 0.216, p > 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that 9.9% of the total morphological variance could be explained by eight geoclimatic variables. The DFA of residuals, remaining after regression of the morphological variables by the geoclimatic ones, let to correct assignment of only 26.3% specimens. Our research revealed that karyotypic divergence plays no important part in differentiating mandibular morphology in chromosome races of S. araneus, and morphological differences cannot be treated as a by-product of chromosomal speciation.

Genetic differentiation of common shrew Sorex araneus populations among different alpine valleys revealed by microsatellites

“…Genetic structuring of alpine populations in this species is however, poorly known. The recent development of microsatellites in the common shrew opened new possibilities in the study of fine-scale population structuring in this species (Wyttenbach et al 1997, Balloux et al 1998, since intraracial allozyme polymorphism is weak in this organism (eg Wójcik and Wójcik 1994). Microsatellites are highly polymorphic, codominant genetic markers now of current use in population genetics (Jarne and Lagoda 1996).…”

Intra-species structuring in the common shrew Sorex araneus (Lipotyphla: Soricidae) in European Russia: morphometric variability could give evidence of limitation of interpopulation migration

“…Although a number of researchers have found morphological differences between the chromosomal races of Sorex araneus (Chętnicki et al, 1996;Polyakov et al, 2002;Okulova et al, 2007), in most studies, morphometric variability was unassociated with racial boundaries (Sulkava et al, 1985;Searle & Thorpe, 1987;Wójcik et al, 2000;Banaszek et al, 2003;Mishta, 2007). Morphological difference was found in cases when the races differed in size.…”

“…Okulova et al (2007) found that several races differed in a number of dimensions and proportions of the skull. However, most authors did not find correspondence between membership in a chromosomal race and morphometric characteristics (Searle & Thorpe, 1987;Hausser, 1994;Meyer & Searle, 1994;Wójcik et al, 2000;Banaszek et al, 2003). Wójcik et al (2003b) found a significant correlation between morphometric variation and environmental heterogeneity, whereas differences between distinct Polish races were weak and insignificant (Wójcik et al, 2000).…”

“…However, most authors did not find correspondence between membership in a chromosomal race and morphometric characteristics (Searle & Thorpe, 1987;Hausser, 1994;Meyer & Searle, 1994;Wójcik et al, 2000;Banaszek et al, 2003). Wójcik et al (2003b) found a significant correlation between morphometric variation and environmental heterogeneity, whereas differences between distinct Polish races were weak and insignificant (Wójcik et al, 2000). The leading role of biogeography in morphological variability of the common shrew was emphasized in Scandinavian (Sulkava et al, 1985) and British chromosomal races (Searle & Thorpe, 1987, Meyer & Searle, 1994.…”

Genetic differentiation and gene flow between the Drnholec and Łęgucki Młyn chromosome races of the common shrew Sorex araneus in northern Poland

“…Selectively neutral markers, such as allozymes could be very valuable in the studies of hybrid zones in S. araneus. Unfortunately, the impressive karyotypic variation in the common shrew is not accompanied by corresponding genetic differentiation (Frykman et al 1983, Catzeflis 1984, Searle 1985, Bengtsson and Frykman 1990, Wójcik and Wójcik 1994. The only differences in allele frequencies involve the Mpi-1 locus between the races in Sweden (Frykman et al 1983) and diagnostic alleles for albumin and urinary pepsin loci for the Valais race in Switzerland (Neet and Hausser 1991).…”