Identification of Sri Lankan shrews using hair anatomy (original) (raw)
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Identification of Sri Lankan Muroid Rodents using Hair Anatomy
Ceylon Journal of Science (Biological Sciences), 2015
We report here characteristic features of hair anatomy of all fifteen muroid rodent species occurring in Sri Lanka. We examined cuticular scale patterns, cross-sections, medullae patterns, hair profile and made measurements (length and maximum width) of dorsal guard hairs. We also developed a dichotomous key for identification of rodent species based on hair anatomy, supported with photomicrographs of cuticular scales, medullae and illustrations of cross-sections. All species except spiny rats (Mus mayori and M. fernandoni) can reliably be distinguished from each other using hair anatomy, in most cases using a combination of characters. Spiny rats can only be distinguished as a group. Cuticular scale patterns and cross-sections show more heterogeneity among species, compared to other characters. Medullary cell shape, their arrangement, maximum number of cells in the widest region of the hair, hair dimensions and profiles are also useful in species identification.
Phylogenetic Relationships of the Endemic Sri Lankan Shrew Genera: Solisorex and Feroculus
Ceylon Journal of Science (Biological Sciences), 2015
Sri Lanka has a rich diversity of shrews: ten species in four genera, with two genera and five species endemic to the island. In the current study we use complete cytochrome-b mitochondrial gene sequences to infer the relationships of two Sri Lankan monotypic genera Solisorex and Feroculus. Maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony phylogenetic analyses revealed that Solisorex is an old lineage that forms the sister group to all other crocidurines. In contrast, Feroculus is nested within Suncus.
Hair Structure as a Key for Species Identification of Some Mammals Found in Gujarat State, India
The anatomic study of guard hairs found on epidermis of the mammals have proven to be an effective way in identifying the species. Many researchers have been employing this methodology as an aid in wildlife forensics also creating the dataset of hair structures enabling them to explore different aspect of wildlife ecology. The goal of the present study is to develop a key of hair structures that can be helpful to researchers, wildlife managers and forensics for rapid identification of mammal species. In this study, 16 different mammals found commonly in North Gujarat were selected to develop the identification keys. The morphology and anatomical structure of hair samples were studied by cross-sectioning, analyzing cuticular structure and hair imprinting. A photographic reference was developed using the identification characteristics. This would be helpful in drawing comparisons with the unidentified hair samples collected as it is difficult to have direct sightings of mammals in the field every time. Photographic references have been given in the paper for efficient and timely interpretation of results.
Shrews from Moist Temperate Forests of Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Journal of Bioresource Management, 2019
The soricidae family comprises of nearly 23 genera out of which approximately 200 species have been associated with the Eurasian region (IUCN, 1995). A lot of ambiguity surrounds this family, especially where taxonomic classification is concerned; also, not much is known about their geographic location. Five protected parks from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) were explored for population trend studies of family soricidae.
A Taxonomic Evaluation of the Shrew Suncus montanus (Soricidae: Crocidurinae) of Sri Lanka and India
Ceylon Journal of Science (Biological Sciences), 2009
The Sri Lankan and Indian populations of the mountain shrew Suncus montanus have hitherto been recognized as a single species, due to their similarity in size and colour. Here we present mitochondrial DNA sequence data from the cytochrome-b and 16S genes that suggest these populations represent distinct species. Phylogenetic analyses further reveal that the Sri Lankan and Indian populations are not sister taxa: S. montanus sensu stricto from Sri Lanka is the sister species of S. murinus, while 'S. montanus' from India is the sister species of S. stoliczkanus. The uncorrected genetic distance for cytochrome-b between Sri Lankan and Indian 'S. montanus' is ca. 7.5%, which is substantially higher than genetic distances within other species of shrews, or within vertebrate species in general, again supporting their recognition as distinct species. The name Suncus niger is available for the Indian shrew hitherto referred to S. montanus. Suncus montanus and S. niger should now be considered as endemic to Sri Lanka and India, respectively.
Mammal Review, 2006
Accurate and sensitive survey and monitoring methods are needed for shrews. We present a new design of hair tube and a new, simple method of species identification from multivariate analysis of four parameters measured from shrew guard hairs using a binocular microscope with incident light. Multivariate analysis of these parameters measured from hairs of known identity showed that they can be used to identify hair to the species level with 85% accuracy. We compared our indices of abundance from hair tubes (the hair tube index) with those from live trapping in 40 field margins. Capture‐mark‐recapture methods showed that capture rate did not vary systematically across sites, so that number of individuals captured was used as an index of abundance. The hair tube index showed a significant association with the number of individuals captured for Sorex araneus and Neomys fodiens. The lack of a significant association for Sorex minutus may be because hair tubes are more sensitive in detect...
Zootaxa
The taxonomy of the pigmy shrews Suncus fellowesgordoni and S. etruscus is unclear and their phylogenetic relationshipsare unknown. Using molecular and morphological data, we confirm the species status of S. fellowesgordoni as being dis-tinct from S. etruscus, its probable sister species. Suncus fellowesgordoni is genetically distant from S. etruscus popula-tions in Sri Lanka and India, and Europe with a percent pairwise uncorrected genetic distance of 7.9–8.2% and 9.2–9.3%for cytochrome-b (mitochondrial DNA), respectively. The genetic distance between S. fellowesgordoni and S. etruscus ofSri Lanka and India for Rag 1 (nuclear DNA, exon) is 1.3–1.7%. The two species are also morphologically distinct by S. fellowesgordoni being larger in all dimensions, darker in hue and having two denticulations on the lower incisors.
Crocidura hikmiya, a new shrew (Mammalia: Soricomorpha: Soricidae) from Sri Lanka
Zootaxa, 2007
A new species of crocidurine shrew, Crocidura hikmiya, is described from the Sinharaja World Heritage Site, Sri Lanka. The species is diagnosed on the basis of both morphology and mitochondrial DNA sequence data. Morphologically C. hikmiya is distinguished from C. miya, among other characters, by having a shorter tail, condyles protruding beyond the margin of the braincase, a posterior edge of maxillary bone rounded (dorsal view), an occipital bone triangularly shaped with an obtuse angle (dorsal view) and slightly flattened on the back; a foramen magnum less deep (ventral view); a dorsal posterior brain case not smooth; and an angular process of dentary short and stout. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that C. hikmiya is the sister-species of C. miya. The uncorrected genetic distance between the two species for the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene fragment is 9.7-10.1%, suggesting species-level divergence. Crocidura hikmiya is confined to the mid-montane forests and lowland rainforests in the southwestern Sri Lanka, while C. miya is confined to montane forests of the central hills.