Morphometric variation of the common shrew, <i>Sorex araneus, </i>in different habitats

Wójcik, Jan M.; Wójcik, Anna; Sikorski, M.

doi:10.1515/mamm.2003.67.2.225

Cited by 16 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Variations in the common shrew Sorex araneus have been found both on cytogenetical and morphological levels, although the connection between the two is unclear (Dannelid 1991;Heikkila¨1989;Searle and Thorpe 1987;Wojcik et al 2003;Zima et al 1994). Bergman's rule has been found to be both supported (Nowak and Wolf 2004;Sulkava et al 1985;White and Searle 2007) and contradicted (Frafjord et al 1994;Kaikusalo and Tast 1994;Ochocinska and Taylor 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can environmental factors explain size variation in the common shrew (Sorex araneus)?

Frafjord¹

2008

Mammalian Biology

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Shrews are small mammals with a high metabolic rate and may potentially be greatly influenced by environmental factors. Several studies have indicated both morphological and genetical variation in the common shrew (Sorex araneus). The aims of this study were to study patterns in size variation and to test which environmental factors influence body size most. Most study sites were located to northern Norway, between 651 and 701N, one study site in south Norway was also included (601N). At one site shrews were studied for 10 consecutive years. Three body measurements (body length, tail length and body mass) and two combined estimates (tail proportion and body condition) were compared, where appropriate, among populations (sites), years and months, and along gradients of altitude (habitat), coast-inland and north-south. Effects of summer climate (temperature and precipitation) were also tested. Size variations among populations of common shrews were found in a number of respects; yearly, seasonal, local and regional. Regional variation was most significant, followed by yearly and seasonal variation. The results suggest a strong link between body size and a coast-inland gradient, with smallest shrews (up to 13% smaller) on inland locations. The main differences between coastal and inland sites are lower winter temperatures and less snow cover at inland sites (factors which are also associated with habitat productivity), which could favour smaller shrews with less energetic demands. Most other variation was relatively small (o5%). Most of the results indicate climate and habitat productivity as the most important factors, which may also vary between years at a single site. Bergmanns's rule, Allen's rule or Dehnel's phenomenon were not supported by this study. The insular syndrome was partly supported. Smaller variations in size may only be proximate adaptations to local food supply, but larger variations are likely to be ultimate adaptations.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can environmental factors explain size variation in the common shrew (Sorex araneus)?

Frafjord¹

2008

Mammalian Biology

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“…Previous studies of Sorex araneus populations from Bia³owie¿a showed mixed associations of habitat and population differentiation. Wójcik (1991) and Wójcik et al (1996) concluded that chromosome and allozyme polymorphisms were related to environmental heterogeneity; however, morphometric differentiation of mandible shape was not (Wójcik et al, 2003). Previous studies of mandibular shape in the common shrew have found the greatest differentiation at higher hierarchical levels than the population, notably among species within the S. araneus-arcticus group and among karyotypic groups of S. araneus (Hausser & Jammot, 1974;Polly, 2006), whereas previous studies of epigenetic variation have found significant differentiation at the population level.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epigenetic variation of the common shrew, Sorex araneus, in different habitats

Wójcik¹,

Polly²,

Wójcik³

et al. 2007

Rus.J.Theriol.

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Epigenetic variation of the common shrew, Sorex araneus, was studied in three habitats (floodplain forest, wet sedge bog and dry meadow) at Bia³owie¿a, northeastern Poland. Previous chromosome and allozyme studies of the same population suggested that polymorphisms are related to environmental heterogeneity and that random factors influence frequencies of acrocentric chromosomes and alleles. In the present study we tested whether similar processes influence epigenetic variation. Thirty-one non-metric skull traits were scored in 274 individuals from samples collected in different biotopes. The specific aim of the study was to estimate non-metric trait frequencies and fluctuating asymmetry in shrews from different habitats, and to explain the factors involved in the maintenance of epigenetic polymorphism. Significant differences found among samples of shrews from different habitats indicated that important epigenetic variation exists within the population. This epigenetic variation in the common shrew appears to be related to environmental heterogeneity.

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“…Several other studies of common shrews have also found relationships between mandible morphology and environmental variables, including latitude and habitat type (Hausser, 1984; Sulkava et al. , 1985; Wójcik et al. , 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Ecomorphometric variation and sexual dimorphism in the common shrew (Sorex araneus)

White

Searle

2009

J of Evolutionary Biology

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We investigated the evolution of the biomechanics of the mandible in island and mainland populations of the common shrew on the west coast of Scotland. We predicted that climatic differences between populations should cause differences in prey composition leading to changes in the mechanical potential (MP) of the mandible. In females, MP was correlated with climate, with greater MP in warmer and drier habitats. In males, MP was significantly greater than in females but there was no relationship between male MP and climate. This led to increased sexual dimorphism in colder and wetter climates. The same pattern was found after a phylogenetic least squares analysis was conducted to account for shared phylogenetic history. We discuss possible reasons for this pattern, including male–male combat and the greater necessity of females to feed as efficiently as possible to meet their extremely high energy requirements during lactation.

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Morphometric variation of the common shrew, Sorex araneus, in different habitats

Cited by 16 publications

References 6 publications

Can environmental factors explain size variation in the common shrew (Sorex araneus)?

Can environmental factors explain size variation in the common shrew (Sorex araneus)?

Epigenetic variation of the common shrew, Sorex araneus, in different habitats

Ecomorphometric variation and sexual dimorphism in the common shrew (Sorex araneus)

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