Are there two species of Pygmy Shrews (Sorex)? Revisiting the question using DNA sequence data

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_06BC192E1F6B
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Are there two species of Pygmy Shrews (Sorex)? Revisiting the question using DNA sequence data
Journal
Canadian Field-Naturalist
Author(s)
Stewart D. T., McPherson M., Robichaud J., Fumagalli L.
ISSN
0008-3550
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2003
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
117
Number
1
Pages
82-88
Language
english
Abstract
Pygmy Shrews in North America have variously been considered to be one species (Sorex hoyi) or two species (S. hoyi and S. thompsoni). Currently, only S. hoyi is recognized. In this study, we examine mitochondrial DNA sequence data for the cytochrome b gene to evaluate the level of differentiation and phylogeographic relationships among eleven samples of Pygmy Shrews from across Canada. Pygmy Shrews from eastern Canada (i.e., Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island) are distinct from Pygmy Shrews from western Canada (Alberta, Yukon) and Alaska. The average level of sequence divergence between these clades (3.3%) falls within the range of values for other recognized pairs of sister species of shrews. A molecular clock based on third position transversion substitutions suggests that these two lineages diverged between 0.44 and 1.67 million years ago. These molecular phylogenetic data. combined with a reinterpretation of previously published morphological data, are suggestive of separate species status for S. hoyi and S. thompsoni as has been previously argued by others. Further analysis of specimens from geographically intermediate areas (e.g., Manitoba. northern Ontario) is required to determine if there is secondary contact and/or introgression between these two putative species.
Keywords
Pygmy Shrew, Sorex hoyi, Thompson's Pygmy Shrew, S. thompsoni, molecular systematics, cytochrome b
Web of science
Create date
24/01/2008 20:09
Last modification date
20/08/2019 13:29
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