Integrative lineages delimitation in rodents of the Ctenomys Corrientes group

ROSSI M S; CARABALLO D A

MAMMALIA

WALTER DE GRUYTER & CO

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2018 vol. 82 p. 35 - 47

0025-1461

The tuco-tucos rodents (genus Ctenomys) of the Corrientes group comprise several populations thatinhabit the vast area under the influence of the Iberá wetland. Lineagesdelimitation within the recently diverged Corrientes group is a challengingtask since morphological differentiation is not conspicuous betweenpopulations. However, delimitation is crucial for evolutionary studies andconservation issues. In this study, we performed a phylogenetic analysisincluding cyt-b sequences from taxa that had never been studied in acomprehensive context. We integrated previously published chromosomal studies,mitochondrial phylogenies and SSR variability analyses, and applied adelimitation criterion over the basis of chromosomal incompatibilities andgenetic exclusivity. Under this integrative approach seven independentlyevolving lineages were delimited in the Corrientes group: C. roigi, which conservesits former definition, C. dorbignyiand C. perrensi complex which wereredefined, Sarandicito which includes the population of Paraje Sarandicito andprobably a group of nearby poorly studied populations, and Iberá i, ii and iiidistributed at both sides of the Iberá wetland. We discuss future perspectivesto evaluate the proposed lineages and conservation issues concerning thesetuco-tucos.