Evolutionary processes and its environmental correlates in the cranial morphology of western chipmunks (Tamias)

Autor(es)

Assis, Ana Paula A. ; Rossoni, Daniela M. ; Patton, James L. ; Marroig, Gabriel

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Evolution; v. 71, n. 3, p. 595-609, MAR 2017.
• Citações Web of Science: 5

Resumo

The importance of the environment in shaping phenotypic evolution lies at the core of evolutionary biology. Chipmunks of the genus Tamias (subgenus Neotamias) are part of a very recent radiation, occupying a wide range of environments with marked niche partitioning among species. One open question is if and how those differences in environments affected phenotypic evolution in this lineage. Herein we examine the relative importance of genetic drift versus natural selection in the origin of cranial diversity exhibited by clade members. We also explore the degree to which variation in potential selective agents (environmental variables) are correlated with the patterns of morphological variation presented. We found that genetic drift cannot explain morphological diversification in the group, thus supporting the potential role of natural selection as the predominant evolutionary force during Neotamias cranial diversification, although the strength of selection varied greatly among species. This morphological diversification, in turn, was correlated with environmental conditions, suggesting a possible causal relationship. These results underscore that extant Neotamias represent a radiation in which aspects of the environment might have acted as the selective force driving species' divergence. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 12/00852-4 - Estudo de mudanças morfológicas e processos evolutivos na comunidade de mamíferos do projeto Grinnell
• Beneficiário: Ana Paula Aprígio Assis
• Linha de fomento: Bolsas no Exterior - Estágio de Pesquisa - Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 11/14295-7 - Modularidade e suas consequências evolutivas
• Beneficiário: Gabriel Henrique Marroig Zambonato
• Linha de fomento: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático
• Processo FAPESP: 14/12632-4 - Evolução morfológica e integração craniana em Filostomídeos
• Beneficiário: Daniela Munhoz Rossoni
• Linha de fomento: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 10/52369-0 - Evolução morfológica em séries temporais: um estudo de caso com as comunidades de mamíferos do projeto grinnell
• Beneficiário: Ana Paula Aprígio Assis
• Linha de fomento: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado