Multivariate analyses of skull morphology inform the taxonomy and evolution of geomyoid rodents.

ABSTRACT: Morphological analyses are critical to quantify phenotypic variation, identify taxa, inform phylogenetic relationships, and shed light on evolutionary patterns. This work is particularly important in groups that display great morphological disparity. Such is the case in geomyoid rodents, a group that includes 2 of the most species-rich families of rodents in North America: the Geomyidae (pocket gophers) and the Heteromyidae (kangaroo rats, pocket mice, and their relatives). We assessed variation in skull morphology (including both shape and size) among geomyoids to test the hypothesis that there are statistically significant differences in skull measurements at the family, genus, and species levels. Our sample includes 886 specimens representing all geomyoid genera and 39 species. We used

SUBMITTER: Noftz LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10443661 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature