Cranial variation in species and subspecies of kangaroo rats (Dipodomys, Dipodomyinae, Rodentia) according to geometric morphometrics.

Traditional Dipodomys (sub)species identification uses geography, phenotype, and external/skull measurements. Such measurements are correlated with size and thus redundant. I assessed the value of scaled cranial shape, based on two-dimensional landmarks (analyzed using geometric morphometric methods) in distinguishing Dipodomys taxa, and in summarizing their variation.

Towards phenotyping adaptive traits in camels: A study of the influence of hypotonic saline solutions on blood cell area.

Single-humped camels are livestock of physical, physiological, and biochemical adaptations to hot desert environments and to water scarcity. The tolerance of camels to water deprivation and their exceptional capacity for rapid rehydration requires blood cells with membranes of specialized organization and chemical composition. The objectives of this study are to examine the changes in the area (a proxy for volume) of camel blood cells in solutions with decreasing concentrations of NaCl and consequently identify the conditions under which blood cells can be phenotyped in a large population.

Cranial differences in three-toed jerboas (Dipodinae, Dipodidae, Rodentia) according to recent taxonomic revisions.

Recent phylogenetic studies amended the taxonomy of three-toed jerboas (subfamily Dipodinae), including raising subspecies to full species. Here, we use geometric morphometrics to compare scaled-shape differences in dipodine crania while considering their revised taxonomy. We sampled , , , , , , , , , and .

Phylogenetics and the evolution of terrestriality in mudskippers (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae).

The initial vertebrate conquest of land by stegocephalians (Sarcopterygia) allowed access to new resources and exploitation of untapped niches precipitating a major phylogenetic diversification. However, a paucity of fossils has left considerable uncertainties about phylogenetic relationships and the eco-morphological stages in this key transition in Earth history. Among extant actinopterygians, three genera of mudskippers (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae), Boleophthalmus, Periophthalmus and Periophthalmodon are the most terrestrialized, with vertebral, appendicular, locomotory, respiratory, and epithelial specializations enabling overland excursions up to 14 h.

Mitochondrial Sequence Variation, Haplotype Diversity, and Relationships Among Dromedary Camel-Types.

Dromedary camels are outstanding livestock that developed efficient abilities to tolerate desert conditions. Many dromedary camel-types (i.e.

Cranial variation in allactagine jerboas (Allactaginae, Dipodidae, Rodentia): a geometric morphometric study.

Allactaginae is a subfamily of dipodids consisting of four- and five-toed jerboas ( , , , , ) found in open habitats of Asia and North Africa. Recent molecular phylogenies have upended our understanding of this group's systematics across taxonomic scales. Here, I used cranial geometric morphometrics to examine variation across 219 specimens of 14 allactagine species ( , , , , , , , , , , , , , ) in light of their revised taxonomy.

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Dromedary Camel-Types.

The dromedary camel is a unique livestock for its adaptations to arid-hot environments and its ability to provide goods under extreme conditions. There are no registries or breed standards for camels. Thus, named camel populations (i.

Habitat productivity is a poor predictor of body size in rodents.

The "resource availability hypothesis" predicts occurrence of larger rodents in more productive habitats. This prediction was tested in a dataset of 1,301 rodent species. We used adult body mass as a measure of body size and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) as a measure of habitat productivity.

Cdrom Archive: A Gateway to Study Camel Phenotypes.

Camels are livestock that exhibit unique morphological, biochemical, and behavioral traits, which arose by natural and artificial selection. Investigating the molecular basis of camel traits has been limited by: (1) the absence of a comprehensive record of morphological trait variation (e.g.

Quality and quantity of dromedary camel DNA sampled from whole-blood, saliva, and tail-hair.

Camels are livestock with unique adaptations to hot-arid regions. To effectively study camel traits, a biobank of camel DNA specimens with associated biological information is needed. We examined whole-blood, saliva (buccal swabs), and tail-hair follicle samples to determine which is the best source for establishing a DNA biobank.

SamplEase: a simple application for collection and organization of biological specimen data in the field.

Careful collection and organization of biological specimens and their associated data are at the core of field research (e.g., ecology, genetics).