Correlative ecological niche models (ENMs) estimate species niches using occurrence records and environmental data. These tools are valuable to the field of biogeography, where they are commonly used to infer potential connectivity among populations. However, a recent study showed that when locally relevant environmental data are not available, records from patches of suitable habitat protruding into otherwise unsuitable regions (e.g., gallery forests within dry areas) can lead to overestimations of species niches and their potential distributions. Here, we test whether this issue obfuscates detection of an obvious environmental barrier existing in northern Venezuela – that of the hot and xeric lowlands separating the Península de Paraguaná from mainland South America. These conditions most likely promote isolation between mainland and peninsular populations of three rodent lineages occurring in mesic habitat in this region. For each lineage, we calibrated optimally parameterized ENMs using mainland records only, and leveraged existing habitat descriptions to assess whether those assigned low suitability values corresponded to instances where the species was collected within locally mesic conditions amidst otherwise hot dry areas. When this was the case, we built an additional model excluding these records. We projected both models onto the peninsula and assessed whether they differed in their ability to detect the environmental barrier. For the two lineages in which we detected such problematic records, only the models built excluding them detected the barrier, while providing additional insights regarding peninsular populations. Overall, the study reveals how a simple procedure like the one applied here can deal with records problematic for ENMs, leading to better predictions regarding the potential effects of the environment on lineage divergence.
The genus Aotus represents a highly diverse group with an especially intricate taxonomy. No standard cytogenetic nomenclature for the genus has yet been established. So far, cytogenetic studies have characterized 18 different karyotypes with diploid numbers ranging from 46 to 58 chromosomes. By combining G-banding comparisons and molecular cytogenetic techniques, we were able to describe the most likely pattern of chromosome evolution and phylogenetic position of two Aotus karyomorphs (KMs) from Venezuela: Aotus nancymai (KM3, 2n=54) and Aotus sp. (KM9, 2n=50). All of the proposed Platyrrhini ancestral associations (2/16, 3/21, 5/7, 8/18, 10/16, 14/15) were found in the Aotus KMs studied, except 2/16 and 10/16. In addition, some derived chromosomal associations were also detected in both KMs (1/3, 1/16, 2/12, 2/20, 3/14, 4/15, 5/15, 7/11, 9/15, 9/17, 10/11, and 10/22). Although some of these associations have been found in other New World monkeys, our results suggest that Aotus species have undergone a highly derived chromosomal evolution. The homologies between these two Aotus KMs and human chromosomes were established, indicating that KM3 has a more derived karyotype than KM9 with respect to the ancestral Platyrrhini karyotype.
A series of populations of spiny rats (Proechimys) of NW and N Central Venezuela were found to belong to a circle of species and subspecies which surrounds the Andes of M6rida-CordiUera de la Costa mountain axis. This 'Rassenkreis' consists of 6 successive karyomorphs which exhibit a stepped-dine distribution (2n = 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 and 62). Each of the karyomorphs occupies a discrete subarea in an almost continuous territory. Polymorphism is very rare and no intermediate karyotypes have been found in the borders of each subarea. Although contact zones have not been studied in detail, the distribution seems to be mostly parapatric. Areas are 12-100 km apart, in most cases without effective barrier between them. Only 1 Robertsonlan rearrangement accounts for each of the steps from 2n = 44 to 2n = 50. The transition from 2n = 42 to 2n = 44 involves 1 Robertsonian change and 3 pericentric inversions. The transition from 2n = 50 to 2n = 62 requires 6 Robertsonian rearrangements and 2 pericentric inversions. It is inferred that successive populations of the 2n = 44 -2n = 50 series may be at an incomplete stage of reproductive isolation by partial reproductive failure of the FI hybrids. Reproductive isolation may be almost complete between the 2n = 42 and 2n = 44 and the 2n = 50 and 2n = 62 karyomorphs. This 'Rassenkreis' is classified as a superspecies, Proechimys [guairae], comprising three allospecies: P. poliopus, P. guairae, and a new unnamed species (Barina's~ sp. n.). Within P. guairae 4 subspecies (or semispecies) are recognized, 2 of which are named (P. guairae guairae and P. guairae ochraceus). It is postulated that differentiation within this superspecies occurred during the Late Pleistocene. The tentative interpretation is advanced that rapid colonization occurred over most of the present territory by a chromosomically uniform invading stock, which subsequently became differentiated by parapatric chromosome raciation. This was followed by further chromosome differentiation in peripheral isolates which formed in unfavorable, dry climatic phases. During humid climatic phases the ranges expanded and zones of secondary contact with the original populations were established.
The genome sizes of the Venezuelan spiny-rats Proechimys guairae guairae (2n = 48) and P. trinitatis (2n = 62) were evaluated and proved to be 12.5 ± 0.5pg and 12.6 ± 0.3pg respectively, the highest so far recorded among mammals; also the C-heterochromatin (32.7 %, Coefficient of Variation [CV] 3.8 and 35.8%, CV4.4) and GC (44.2%, CV2.7 and 43.6%, CV 2.9) contents are very high. Highly repetitive (rep) DNAs were isolated from restriction enzyme digested genomic DNAs of both species. The intra- and inter-specific chromosomal allocations of these rep DNAs were analyzed by direct and cross-hybridizations. Results show that the two genomes harbour several rep DNA families which show both species-specificity and interspecific relatedness in their in situ hybridization patterns. The rep DNA families show an equilocal distribution at both the pericentromeric areas of all chromosomes and in the whole arms of two pairs of the uniarmed group, suggesting co-evolution of the rep DNAs. P. g. guairae BamHI digested DNA, when cloned and sequenced, proved to consist of a long “composite” unit (1,239 bp) containing two copies of each of 75-bp and 110-bp internal subrepeats. Karyotype restructuring between P. g. guairae and P. trinitatis, mainly due to Robertsonian changes, was accompanied by slight intra- and intergenomic movements of the putative satellite DNA families within stable genome sizes and C-heterochromatin contents. We discuss the findings obtained in Proechimys in the light of those regarding the kangaroo rat, the pocket gopher and the house mouse; they support the idea that karyotype restructuring could be the expression of molecular driven events of rep DNA amplification and homogenisation through non-homologous chromosomes.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.