Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols Used xiii 1. The Importance of Islands 3 2. Area and Number of Speicies 8 3. Further Explanations of the Area-Diversity Pattern 19 4. The Strategy of Colonization 68 5. Invasibility and the Variable Niche 94 6. Stepping Stones and Biotic Exchange 123 7. Evolutionary Changes Following Colonization 145 8. Prospect 181 Glossary 185 References 193 Index 201

The Theory of Island Biogeography

The principles of classification and a classification of mammals. Bulletin of the AMNH ; v. 85

Introduction to the practice of statistics, (3rd edition), by David S. Moore and George P. McCabe. Pp. 825 (with appendices and CD-ROM). £27.95. 1999. ISBN 0 7167 3502 4 (W. H. Freeman).

Although some organisms have moved to higher elevations and latitudes in response to recent climate change, there is little consensus regarding the capacity of different species to track rapid climate change via range shifts Understanding species' abilities to shift ranges has important implications for assessing extinction risk and predicting future community structure At an expanding front, colonization rates are determined jointly by rates of reproduction and dispersal In addition, establishment of viable populations requires that individuals find suitable resources in novel habitats Thus, species with greater dispersal ability, reproductive rate and ecological generalization should be more likely to expand into new regions under climate change Here, we assess current evidence for the relationship between leading-edge range shifts and species' traits We found expected relationships for several datasets, including diet breadth in North American Passeriformes and egg-laying habitat in British Odonata However, models generally had low explanatory power Thus, even statistically and biologically meaningful relationships are unlikely to be of predictive utility for conservation and management Trait-based range shift forecasts face several challenges, including quantifying relevant natural history variation across large numbers of species and coupling these data with extrinsic factors such as habitat fragmentation and availability

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Do species’ traits predict recent shifts at expanding range edges?

Development of phylogenetic methods that do not rely on fossils for the study of evolutionary processes through time have revolutionized the field of evolutionary biology and resulted in an unprecedented expansion of our knowledge about the tree of life. These methods have helped to shed light on the macroevolution of many taxonomic groups such as the placentals (Mammalia). However, despite the increase of studies addressing the diversification patterns of organisms, no synthesis has addressed the case of the most diversified mammalian clade: the Rodentia. Here we present a rodent maximum likelihood phylogeny inferred from a molecular supermatrix. It is based on 11 mitochondrial and nuclear genes that covers 1,265 species, i.e., respectively 56% and 81% of the known specific and generic rodent diversity. The inferred topology recovered all Rodentia clades proposed by recent molecular works. A relaxed molecular clock dating approach provided a time framework for speciation events. We found that the Myomorpha clade shows a greater degree of variation in diversification rates than Sciuroidea, Caviomorpha, Castorimorpha and Anomaluromorpha. We identified a number of shifts in diversification rates within the major clades: two in Castorimorpha, three in Ctenohystrica, 6 within the squirrel-related clade and 24 in the Myomorpha clade. The majority of these shifts occurred within the most recent familial rodent radiations: the Cricetidae and Muridae clades. Using the topological imbalances and the time line we discuss the potential role of different diversification factors that might have shaped the rodents radiation. The present glimpse on the diversification pattern of rodents can be used for further comparative meta-analyses. Muroid lineages have a greater degree of variation in their diversification rates than any other rodent group. Different topological signatures suggest distinct diversification processes among rodent lineages. In particular, Muroidea and Sciuroidea display widespread distribution and have undergone evolutionary and adaptive radiation on most of the continents. Our results show that rodents experienced shifts in diversification rate regularly through the Tertiary, but at different periods for each clade. A comparison between the rodent fossil record and our results suggest that extinction led to the loss of diversification signal for most of the Paleogene nodes.

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186%2F1471-2148-12-88.pdf

A glimpse on the pattern of rodent diversification: a phylogenetic approach

One hundred DNA sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene of 44 species of deer mice (Peromyscus (sensu stricto), 1 of Habromys, 1 of Isthmomys, 2 of Megadontomys, and the monotypic genera Neotomodon, Osgoodomys, and Podomys were used to develop a molecular phylogeny for Peromyscus. Phylogenetic analyses (maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference) were conducted to evaluate alternative hypotheses concerning taxonomic arrangements (sensu stricto versus sensu lato) of the genus. In all analyses, monophyletic clades were obtained that corresponded to species groups proposed by previous authors; however, relationships among species groups generally were poorly resolved. The concept of the genus Peromyscus based on molecular data differed significantly from the most current taxonomic arrangement. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian trees depicted strong support for a clade placing Habromys, Megadontomys, Neotomodon, Osgoodomys, and Podomys within Peromyscus. If Habromys, Megadontomys, Neotomodon, Osgoodomys, and Podomys are regarded as genera, then several species groups within Peromyscus (sensu stricto) should be elevated to generic rank. Isthmomys was associated with the genus Reithrodontomys; in turn this clade was sister to Baiomys, indicating a distant relationship of Isthmomys to Peromyscus. A formal taxonomic revision awaits synthesis of additional sequence data from nuclear markers together with inclusion of available allozymic and karyotypic data.

Toward a Molecular Phylogeny for Peromyscus: Evidence from Mitochondrial Cytochrome-b Sequences

We examined spectral features that characterize the highly stereotyped, repetitive vocalizations of New World baiomyine rodents. Although stereotyped vocal signaling, described as “song,” has been documented in Scotinomys (singing or brown mice), its occurrence was unknown in the sister taxon Baiomys (pygmy mice). We also recorded vocalizations of females, about which little information was previously available. Although examination of morphological and molecular data supports a close relationship between the 2 baiomyine genera, we identified song as a complex behavior that further underpins the monophyly of the Baiomyini. Both spectral and temporal features render these songs highly localizable, a characteristic of possible utility for courtship and other social behavior. The song of Baiomys is confined entirely to the ultrasonic spectrum, unlike that of Scotinomys, which uses a broader range of frequencies. The intensity, identity, and predictability of vocalization suggest that these songs are...

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Vocal Stereotypy and Singing Behavior in Baiomyine Mice

Peromyscine mice of the cricetid subfamily Neotominae comprise the most common and speciose assemblage of North American rodents. The composition and phylogenetic relationships within this group have been addressed using multiple character systems but remain unresolved, particularly the branching pattern of deeply rooted lineages. The relationships and status of several taxa formerly included within Peromyscus also are controversial. We present a new phylogenetic hypothesis based on combined mitochondrial and nuclear sequences using cytochrome b, interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein, and growth hormone receptor gene sequences, and include all major peromyscine lineages. Bayesian and parsimony approaches recover a congruent, well-resolved phylogeny, wherein Peromyscus forms a monophyletic assemblage only if a number of putative genera are included within it. Onychomys rather than Reithrodontomys is the sister taxon to Peromyscus (within which are included Habromys, Osgoodomys, Megadontomys, Podomys, and Neotomodon). Reithrodontomys in turn is the sister taxon to Isthmomys, and these 2 genera are the nearest outlier to Onychomys plus an expanded concept of Peromyscus, consistent with the recent recognition of this entire group as the tribe Reithrodontomyini. The Baiomyini, Ochrotomyini, and Neotoma (Neotomini) appear as successive outgroups to this clade. Based on these results, we present a systematic review of higher-level relationships among peromyscine rodents.

The relationships of major lineages within peromyscine rodents: a molecular phylogenetic hypothesis and systematic reappraisal

Reports of audible vocalizations are rare in adult muroid rodents, animals generally very small in body size and under strong predation pressure. By contrast, communication using high, often ultrasonic vocal frequencies is relatively common. There are anecdotal reports of audible vocalizations for some harvest mice (genus Reithrodontomys), however none have been recorded or analyzed. Several species of harvest mice are studied, representing the subgenera Reithrodontomys (R. fulvescens, R. sumichrasti) and Aporodon (R. creper, R. mexicanus, R. spp.), as part of a larger phylogenetic analysis of stereotypical vocal communication. Only R. mexicanus produced stereotyped vocalizations on a regular basis. Acoustic signals of R. mexicanus contain prominent harmonics bridging both the audible and ultrasonic range, with evidence of non-linear distribution of energy within and between notes of an individual call. Harmonic emphasis varies, making the carrier frequency difficult to locate. These Reithrodontomys vocalizations are compared with members of their phylogenetic sister group Onychomys+Peromyscus, genera whose stereotypic calls exclusively occupy the audible or ultrasonic spectrum, respectively. It is hypothesized that the stereotypic signals of harvest mice represent announcement calls. Given the number of anecdotal reports of stereotyped 1, 2, and 3-note calls among Reithrodontomys species, further interspecific comparisons are warranted.

Stereotypic vocalizations in harvest mice (Reithrodontomys): Harmonic structure contains prominent and distinctive audible, ultrasonic, and non-linear elements

Jacqueline R. Miller

Papers

Toward a Molecular Phylogeny for Peromyscus: Evidence from Mitochondrial Cytochrome-b Sequences

Vocal Stereotypy and Singing Behavior in Baiomyine Mice

The relationships of major lineages within peromyscine rodents: a molecular phylogenetic hypothesis and systematic reappraisal

Stereotypic vocalizations in harvest mice (Reithrodontomys): Harmonic structure contains prominent and distinctive audible, ultrasonic, and non-linear elements