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A glimpse on the pattern of rodent diversification: a phylogenetic approach
Pierre-Henri Fabre1, Lionel Hautier, Dimitar Dimitrov
1Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate (CMEC, Department of Biology), Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. phfmourade@gmail.com
BMC Evolutionary Biology
|June 16, 2012
Summary
Rodents (Rodentia) show varied diversification rates, with Muroid lineages exhibiting the most variation. Evolutionary and adaptive radiations occurred across continents, particularly in Muroidea and Sciuroidea, shaping the rodent tree of life.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Phylogenetics
- Mammalian Macroevolution
Background:
- Phylogenetic methods have expanded knowledge of the tree of life, including mammalian macroevolution.
- However, the diversification patterns of the most diverse mammalian clade, Rodentia, remain under-synthesized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reconstruct a comprehensive phylogeny for Rodentia using molecular data.
- To investigate diversification rates and identify shifts within major rodent clades.
Main Methods:
- Inferred a maximum likelihood phylogeny from 11 mitochondrial and nuclear genes.
- Covered 1,265 rodent species (56% of species, 81% of genera).
- Applied a relaxed molecular clock dating approach to estimate speciation times.
Main Results:
- Recovered established rodent clades and provided a time framework for speciation.
- Identified significant variation in diversification rates, particularly within the Myomorpha clade.
- Documented numerous shifts in diversification rates across major clades, with most occurring in recent radiations like Cricetidae and Muridae.
Conclusions:
- Rodent diversification patterns offer insights for comparative meta-analyses.
- Muroid lineages exhibit greater diversification rate variation than other rodent groups.
- Distinct topological signatures suggest varied diversification processes, with Muroidea and Sciuroidea showing widespread adaptive radiations.
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