Cranial shape varies along an elevation gradient in Gambel's white-footed mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus gambelii) in the Grinnell Resurvey Yosemite transect

2010 ◽  
Vol 271 (8) ◽  
pp. 897-909 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.M. Grieco ◽  
O.T. Rizk
Keyword(s):  
Peromyscus Maniculatus ◽  
Elevation Gradient ◽  
White Footed Mouse ◽  
Cranial Shape

A new method to discriminate the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) from the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) using species-specific primers in multiplex PCR

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (11) ◽  
pp. 1832-1835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Tessier ◽  
Sarah Noël ◽  
François-Joseph Lapointe
Keyword(s):  
Peromyscus Maniculatus ◽  
Peromyscus Leucopus ◽  
Deer Mouse ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Specific Primers ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Mitochondrial Region ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
White Footed Mouse

Morphometric measurements or biochemical methods are often required to differentiate deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus (Wagner, 1845), from white-footed mice, Peromyscus leucopus (Rafinesque, 1818), particularly when they are found in sympatry. However, these approaches cannot easily be applied to juveniles, or to degraded or ancient museum specimens. In this paper, we propose a rapid and non-invasive molecular approach to discriminate these cryptic species from one another. This technique relies on species-specific primers designed in the COIII mitochondrial region to amplify fragments of different lengths in each species. The method developed proved useful for the identification of ethanol-preserved, frozen, degraded, or dry museum specimens.

Microsatellite markers reveal low frequency of natural hybridization between the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) and deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) in southern Quebec, Canada

Genome ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 454-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah S.T. Leo ◽  
Virginie Millien
Keyword(s):  
Microsatellite Markers ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Peromyscus Maniculatus ◽  
Peromyscus Leucopus ◽  
Deer Mouse ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Natural Hybridization ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
White Footed Mouse

In some parts of southern Quebec, two closely related rodent species — the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) and the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) — have recently come in contact because of climate-driven changes in the distribution of the former. Both species share similar morphology, ecology, and life history traits, which suggests that natural hybridization may be possible. Hybridization among these two species can have important implications on the ecological roles these rodents play in disease transmission, yet few researchers have attempted to examine this phenomenon and results from previous hybridization experiments have remained inconclusive and conflicting. In this study, we attempt to investigate the occurrence of hybridization among white-footed mice and deer mice in southern Quebec by genotyping wild caught specimens with selectively neutral, polymorphic microsatellite markers. Our analyses suggest that hybridization may be occurring at extremely low frequency between both species in our study area. The presence of such hybridization events, even at low frequencies, may have implications on disease transmission risk in the region and further detailed studies are necessary.

Functional evenness of bird communities varies along the elevational gradient in Europe: Conservation implications

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Morelli ◽  
Yanina
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Elevation Gradient ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Elevational Gradient ◽  
Negative Association ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
Bird Species Richness ◽  
Large Spatial Scale ◽  
Functional Evenness

ContextThe negative association between elevation and species richness is a well-recognized pattern in macro-ecology. ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate changes in functional evenness of breeding bird communities along an elevation gradient in Europe. MethodsUsing the bird data from the EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds we estimated an index of functional evenness which can be assumed as a measure of the potential resilience of communities.ResultsOur findings confirm the existence of a negative association between elevation and bird species richness in all European eco regions. However, we also explored a novel aspect of this relationship, important for conservation: Our findings provide evidence at large spatial scale of a negative association between the functional evenness (potential community resilience) and elevation, independent of the eco region. We also found that the Natura2000 protected areas covers the territory most in need of protection, those characterized by bird communities with low potential resilience, in hilly and mountainous areas.ConclusionsThese results draw attention to European areas occupied by bird communities characterized by a potential lower capacity to respond to strong ecological changes, and, therefore, potentially more exposed to risks for conservation.

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