Why are there no giants at the dwarves feet? Insular micromammals in the eastern Mediterranean

Ostende, Lars W. van den Hoek; Geer, Alexandra van der; Wijngaarden, C. Lind van

doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2016.05.007

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…Van den Hoek Ostende et al . () considered that climatic factors and the phylogenetic condition of rodent species were responsible for the absence of gigantism, attributing the lack of giant murids to rodent fact that year‐round active species maintain an r –selected life history under unfavourable environmental conditions there, in contrast with dormice that can enter torpor. In contrast to their view, however, murid body size is not constrained by these life‐history traits and phylogeny, because several giant forms are described from extant ( Phloeomys pallidus Nehring, 1890 or Crateromys schadenbergi Meyer, 1895) and extinct ( Canariomys bravoi Crusafont‐Pairó & Petter, 1964 or Mikrotia magna Freudenthal, 1976) insular faunas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How common is gigantism in insular fossil shrews? Examining the ‘Island Rule’ in soricids (Mammalia: Soricomorpha) from Mediterranean Islands using new body mass estimation models

2016

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The evolution of organismal body size in extant and extinct ecosystems of islands (Island Rule) is receiving much attention at present. Allometric models are a reliable way to predict the weight of extinct species, but are scarce or even absent for some groups of micromammals. To fill the gap, we carried out regression models with extant species of soricids (N = 63) using measurements of teeth, cranium, and postcranial bones, and applied these to fossil insular species and their mainland ancestors. Almost all models are significant (P < 0.05), except for those based on the width of occipital condyles. The femur can be considered the most reliable body-mass predictor, producing estimations not far from those derived from teeth (excepting molar widths). Predictions of insular species (in grams) show that those belonging to the tribe Nectogalini [

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How common is gigantism in insular fossil shrews? Examining the ‘Island Rule’ in soricids (Mammalia: Soricomorpha) from Mediterranean Islands using new body mass estimation models

2016

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“…Generally speaking, extinct small mammals experience an increase of body mass following the 'island rule' (Figure 2). Although they show a huge size, in most of the cases this value has not been compared to the size of their direct ancestors [13,39]. Therefore, these results should be taken with caution.…”

Section: Eco-evolutionary Adaptations Of Small Mammals To Islands: Comparisons and Driversmentioning

confidence: 98%

Evolutionary Biological Responses of Pikas (Lagomorpha, Mammalia) to Past Insular Ecosystems (Miocene-Holocene): A Key for the Management of Extant Species <sup>†</sup>

Moncunill-Solé

2021

Proceedings of 1st International Electronic Conference on Biological Diversity, Ecology and Evolution

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Fossil biotas provide an opportunity to explore eco-evolutionary adaptations to insular regimes not subjected to the anthropogenic perturbations. Historically, these studies have been biased towards large-sized taxa, and less efforts has been devoted to small ones. For this reason, the present study reviews the general and specific biological responses described in extinct insular ochotonids (Ochotonidae, Lagomorpha) from the Mediterranean Islands (Miocene-Holocene), given the last cutting-edge investigations. Parallel biological trends have been observed in these species, regarding an increase of adult body size, teeth modifications (e.g., higher hypsodonty), slow-gear lifestyle with new locomotion skills (related to digging, climbing or leaping), as well as a slow life history. Most of these features are also noticed in other extinct insular micromammals and largesized species. Although a single ochotonid dwells in true insular environments at present, the future climate change will push them to inhabit top of mountains (ecological islands). The present paper provides useful baseline data (evolutionary history of the family, biological abilities or responses to insularity) for the design and implementation of innovative and effective management actions.

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“…mice, shrews and pikas) tended to increase in body size following colonization of these islands, but these trends towards gigantism ceased or were reversed following colonization of the islands by mammalian competitors or predators. A study on palaeo‐insular rodent populations from 58 species across 32 islands worldwide also indicated the influence of climate – with gigantism in rodents being much less pronounced during cold phases of the Pleistocene in the Mediterranean (van den Hoek Ostende, van der Geer, & Wijngaarden, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘On being the right size’ – Do aliens follow the rules?

Geer

Lomolino

Lyras

2018

Journal of Biogeography

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Aim: To assess whether mammalian species introduced onto islands across the globe have evolved to exhibit body size patterns consistent with the 'island rule,', and to test an ecological explanation for body size evolution of insular mammals.Location: Islands worldwide. Methods:We assembled data on body mass, geographical characteristics (latitude, maximum elevation) and ecological communities (number of mammalian competitors, predators and prey) for 385 introduced populations across 285 islands, comprising 56 species of extant, non-volant mammals. We used linear regression, ANCOVA and regression tree analyses to test whether introduced populations of mammals exhibit the island rule pattern, whether the degree of body size change increased with time in isolation and whether residual variation about the general trend can be attributed to the geographical and ecological characteristics of the islands.Results: Introduced populations follow the predicted island rule trend, with body size shifts more pronounced for populations with greater residence times on the islands. Small mammals evolved to larger body sizes in lower latitudes and on islands with limited topographic relief. Consistent with our hypothesis on the ecology of evolution, body size of insular introduced populations was influenced by co-occurring species of mammalian competitors, predators and prey. Conclusion:The island rule is a pervasive pattern, exhibited across a broad span of geographical regions, taxa, time periods and, as evidenced here, for introduced as well as native mammals. Time in isolation impacts body size evolution profoundly.Body size shift of introduced mammals was much more pronounced with increasing residence times, yet far less than that exhibited by native, palaeo-insular mammals --

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Why are there no giants at the dwarves feet? Insular micromammals in the eastern Mediterranean

Cited by 10 publications

References 66 publications

How common is gigantism in insular fossil shrews? Examining the ‘Island Rule’ in soricids (Mammalia: Soricomorpha) from Mediterranean Islands using new body mass estimation models

How common is gigantism in insular fossil shrews? Examining the ‘Island Rule’ in soricids (Mammalia: Soricomorpha) from Mediterranean Islands using new body mass estimation models

Evolutionary Biological Responses of Pikas (Lagomorpha, Mammalia) to Past Insular Ecosystems (Miocene-Holocene): A Key for the Management of Extant Species <sup>†</sup>

‘On being the right size’ – Do aliens follow the rules?

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Why are there no giants at the dwarves feet? Insular micromammals in the eastern Mediterranean

Cited by 10 publications

References 66 publications

How common is gigantism in insular fossil shrews? Examining the ‘Island Rule’ in soricids (Mammalia: Soricomorpha) from Mediterranean Islands using new body mass estimation models

How common is gigantism in insular fossil shrews? Examining the ‘Island Rule’ in soricids (Mammalia: Soricomorpha) from Mediterranean Islands using new body mass estimation models

Evolutionary Biological Responses of Pikas (Lagomorpha, Mammalia) to Past Insular Ecosystems (Miocene-Holocene): A Key for the Management of Extant Species &lt;sup&gt;†&lt;/sup&gt;

‘On being the right size’ – Do aliens follow the rules?

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Evolutionary Biological Responses of Pikas (Lagomorpha, Mammalia) to Past Insular Ecosystems (Miocene-Holocene): A Key for the Management of Extant Species <sup>†</sup>