Journal
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
Volume 196, Issue 3, Pages 963-978Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab048
Keywords
conservation; cryptic species; ecomorphology; Procrustes ANOVA; shape variation; variation partitioning
Categories
Funding
- University of Queensland Research Training Tuition Scholarship
- University of Queensland Research Higher Degree Living Stipend Scholarship
- Australian Research Council [DP170103227]
- Future Fellowship [FT180100634]
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Taxonomic distinction is crucial for biodiversity assessments and conservation, but traditional methods often overlook ecological and functional aspects of species diversification. This study used 3D geometric morphometrics to improve taxonomic differentiation and provide insights into the adaptive origins and potential threats of a cryptic divergence within the carnivorous marsupial genus Antechinus.
Taxonomic distinction of species forms the foundation of biodiversity assessments and conservation priorities. However, traditional morphological and/or genetics-based taxonomic assessments frequently miss the opportunity of elaborating on the ecological and functional context of species diversification. Here, we used 3D geometric morphometrics of the cranium to improve taxonomic differentiation and add ecomorphological characterization of a young cryptic divergence within the carnivorous marsupial genus Antechinus. Specifically, we used 168 museum specimens to characterize the recently proposed clades A. stuartii 'south', A. stuartii 'north' and A. subtropicus. Beyond slight differences attributable to overall size (and, therefore, not necessarily diagnostic), we also found clear allometry-independent shape variation. This allowed us to define new, easily measured diagnostic traits in the palate, which differentiate the three clades. Contrary to previous suggestions, we found no support for a latitudinal gradient as causing the differentiation between the clades. However, skull shape co-varied with temperature and precipitation seasonality, suggesting that the clades may be adapted to environmental variables that are likely to be impacted by climate change. Our study demonstrates the use of 3D geometric morphometrics to improve taxonomic diagnosis of cryptic mammalian species, while providing perspectives on the adaptive origins and potential future threats of mammalian diversity.
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