What is it about?
This study used geometric morphometrics to examine cranial variation across 15 species of spiny pocket mice. I analyzed 65 cranial landmarks from 328 adult voucher specimens representing 114 localities and compared the resulting shape patterns with recent molecular phylogenies and taxonomic proposals.
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Why is it important?
Traditional classifications do not fully reflect the molecular, morphological, and ecological diversity within this group. The cranial shape results align better with a revised taxonomy in which Heteromys is retained in its traditional sense, while the traditional Liomys is divided among several distinct lineages. The study also shows how geometric morphometrics can help resolve taxonomic problems in groups that appear similar using conventional measurements.
Perspectives
A main goal here was to see whether cranial shape provides an independent morphological perspective on recent molecular revisions. The close agreement between shape variation and the major phylogenetic lineages strengthens the case for recognizing more of the evolutionary diversity currently hidden within a broadly defined Heteromys.
Bader H. Alhajeri
Kuwait University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Cranial variation across spiny pocket mice (Heteromys, Liomys) in new phylogenetic and taxonomic perspectives, Zoology, January 2025, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2025.126238.
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