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The biology of an isolated Mashona mole-rat population from southern Malawi, with implications for the diversity and biogeography of the genus Fukomys.

Authors :
Šumbera, R.
Uhrová, M.
Begall, S.
Caspar, K. R.
Jerkovičová, D.
Van Daele, P.
Chitaukali, W. N.
Faulkes, C. G.
Bennett, N. C.
Johannes, C.
Burda, H.
Mikula, O.
Source :
Organisms Diversity & Evolution. Sep2023, Vol. 23 Issue 3, p603-620. 18p.
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

The Mashona mole-rat, Fukomys darlingi (Thomas, 1895), is a little studied social African mole-rat (Bathyergidae) from south-astern Africa. Here, we present an integrative study characterizing the genetic diversity of populations assigned to F. darlingi with special focus on animals from Nsanje, southern Malawi. These mole-rats show pronounced differences in body mass and general appearance compared to nominate F. darlingi from Zimbabwe and Mozambique, but their taxonomic status has so far remained unclear. A genetic analysis encompassing all major lineages of the genus Fukomys suggests that this population indeed represents a deeply nested lineage within the F. darlingi clade. The karyotype of the Nsanje mole-rats also corresponds to that of the nominate form, being 2n = 54. While both nuclear and mitochondrial data agree about the assignment of the Nsanje mole-rats to F. darlingi, our analyses revealed substantial mitonuclear discordance for other branches within the Fukomys phylogenetic tree. Nsanje mole-rats are significantly larger than nominate F. darlingi and their ontogeny and reproduction closely resemble similar-sized congeneric species rather than the nominate population. The somatic growth of the Nsanje form is the slowest of all African mole-rats. The maximum life span of F. darlingi is at least 19 years. The observed differences between nominate F. darlingi and mole-rats from Nsanje may be attributed mainly to their different body mass. Our study highlights the advantages of an integrative approach for understanding the diversity of African mole-rats and emphasizes the great intraspecific variability that may be encountered in these underground-dwelling rodents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14396092
Volume :
23
Issue :
3
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Organisms Diversity & Evolution
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
170715350
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13127-023-00604-z