Chromosomal evolution of the brown mice, genus Scotinomys (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

Duke S. Rogers, E. J. Heske

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Early taxonomic investigations associated the genus Scotinomys with South American akodontine rodents, but more recent morphological analyses based in large part on the glans penis have linked brown mice with North American peromyscines, specifically the genus Baiomys. Differentially stained chromosomal preparations of S. xerampelinus were compared with other cricetine taxa. Chromosomally, golden mice (Ochrotomys) were found to be most similar to Scotinomys, this association based on two apparent synapomorphic G-banded chromosomes. The majority of banded chromosomes possessed by Scotinomys were found to be either uniquely derived or to appear unaltered, and therefore presumably ancestral, when compared to the G-band patterns of other cricetids. These results fail to support the morphological hypotheses that closely unite Scotinomys with Baiomys, and instead support a hypothesis that treats Scotinomys, Ochrotomys, and perhaps Baiomys as a rather loosely associated assemblage of genera that are phylogenetically intermediate between the relatively complex pene, primarily South American cricetine rodents and the more simple pene North American neotomine-peromyscines.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)221-228
Number of pages8
JournalGenetica
Volume63
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1984

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • Genetics
  • Plant Science
  • Insect Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Chromosomal evolution of the brown mice, genus Scotinomys (Rodentia: Cricetidae)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this