Morphometric variation of tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri) from different regions

Abstract

Phenotypic plasticity is the capacity for individuals to modify their phenotype in response to environmental changes. For example, variation in external and cranial characters have been documented in some small mammals and can result in controversy over classification, which has been the case for tree shrews for decades. However, there are few reports about external and cranial character variation in tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri). Here, such character variants of tree shrews were documented for 11 different sampling sites (Hainan, Daxin, Leye, Xingyi, Hekou, Kunming, Xichang, Dali, Pianma, Tengchong, Mengla) and for laboratory samples. The results showed that external and cranial characters of tree shrews significantly differed among regions, Hainan and Daxin populations were significantly larger than those of other populations, and Leye, Xingyi, Kunming and Xichang populations were smaller. The variation may be related to the habitat of tree shrews and our data may initiate new interest in morphological variants in small mammals. The presented detailed examination of the morphometric characters in tree shrews, and the exposed significant morphological differences among tree shrews, are expected to help in confirming their classification status.

Population genomics provides insights into the evolution and adaptation of tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri) in China

“…Alternatively, the differentiation between DX and HN occurred relatively recently, and there were similar changes in N e and phenotype characteristics in DX and HN (Gao et al . 2017). This indicates that T. b. modesta and T. b. tonquinia were separated relatively recently.…”

“…Tupaia belangeri is widely distributed throughout Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Guangxi, and Hainan island of China. It is a unique species of Scandentia in China (Gao et al 2016(Gao et al , 2017 and is an interesting species for studying adaptation to diverse environments (Zhu et al 2014;Wang et al 2015), as its natural distribution covers a large variety of environments, ranging from tropical to subtropical and from plains to mountainous areas (Sargis et al 2016). There has been extensive dispute about the subspecies classification of T. belangeri in China.…”

“…It is a unique species of Scandentia in China (Gao et al . 2016, 2017) and is an interesting species for studying adaptation to diverse environments (Zhu et al . 2014; Wang et al .…”

A new species of Tupaia (Mammalia, Scandentia, Tupaiidae) from northeastern Vietnam

“…Measurements in millimeters (mm) were taken by digital caliper Mitutoyo model NTD12 -15PMX, Mitutoyo Corp., Kawasaki, Japan to the nearest 0.01 mm (Endo et al 1999(Endo et al , 2000a(Endo et al , b, 2017(Endo et al , 2021Gao et al 2017 andWible 2011). External measurements consisted of Head and body length (HB), tail length (TL), hind foot length (HF), ear length (E) in millimeters (mm) and body mass (BW) in grams (g).…”

Optimization of Milk Substitutes for the Artificial Rearing of Chinese Tree Shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis)

“…It is widely distributed throughout South China, Southeast and South Asia. There are morphological and biological variations [1,2] among the tree shrews from different regions, and a total of 15 species have been described in the genus Tupaia [3]. The Chinese tree shrew has a small body size (100-150 g), a short reproduction cycle (around 6 weeks from the time of conception to birth), and a low maintenance cost, which are all advantageous for its use as a laboratory animal [4].…”