Taxonomic validity of species groups in the genus Akodon (Rodentia, Cricetidae). (29th April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Coyner, Brandi S.; Braun, Janet K.; Mares, Michael A.; Van Den, Ronald A.
• Is Part Of: Zoologica scripta. Volume 42:Number 4(2013:Jul.)
• Page Start: 335
• Page End: 350
• Publication Date: 2013-04-29
• Subjects: Zoology -- Periodicals; 590.5
• DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-3256

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en" id="zsc12014-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>In an effort to evaluate the four <italic>Akodon</italic> species groups, phylogenetic relationships among individuals of the genus <italic>Akodon</italic>, selected from throughout South America, were examined using cytochrome b and a concatenated data set consisting of data from cytochrome b, exon 6 of the dentin matrix protein 1 and the nuclear intron thyrotropin. Both the cytochrome b data set and the combined data set were analysed under maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian criteria. Like previous studies, a monophyletic <italic>Akodon</italic> clade was recovered. Monophyly of the <italic>boliviensis</italic> and <italic>cursor</italic> groups was supported, and the two form a strongly supported sister relationship. <italic>Akodon azarae</italic> is basal to and forms a monophyletic group with the <italic>boliviensis </italic>+ <italic>cursor</italic> clade, resolving the placement of <italic>A. azarae</italic> but leaving it unassignable to a current <italic>Akodon</italic> species group. The <italic>aerosus</italic> and <italic>varius</italic> groups are paraphyletic as four members of the <italic>varius</italic> group (<italic>A. glaucinus</italic>, <italic> A. simulator</italic>, <italic> A. tartareus</italic> and <italic>A. varius</italic>) fall within the <italic>aerosus</italic> group. <italic>Akodon lindberghi</italic> is formally placed in the <italic>cursor</italic> group. <italic>Akodon caenosus</italic> is recognized as a species distinct of <italic>A. lutescens</italic>, <italic> A. orientalis</italic> is recognized as a species distinct of <italic>A. orophilus</italic>, and <italic>A. aerosus</italic>, <italic> A. baliolus</italic> and <italic>A. surdus</italic> are recognized as three separate species. Based upon chronophylogenetic analysis, the initial divergence within <italic>Akodon</italic> likely began during the late Pliocene and ancestors of the four extant species groups (<italic>aerosus</italic>, <italic> boliviensis</italic>, <italic> cursor</italic> and <italic>dolores</italic>) appeared around the Pleistocene–Pliocene boundary or shortly thereafter.</p> </abstract>