Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 80: 7014 - 7023 Published August 31, 2014
Morphometric variation in the forest rodent Malacomys edwardsi (Rodentia: Muridae) in Côte d’Ivoire
Hilaire Kouakou
BOHOUSSOU1,2*, Bertin Kouamé AKPATOU1,2, Blaise KADJO1, Ouattara
SOULEMANE1, Eliézer Kouakou N’GORAN1, Violaine NICOLAS3 1 Laboratoire de Zoologie et Biologie Animale, UFR Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22.
2 Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques (CSRS) en Côte d’Ivoire, 01 BP 1303 Abidjan 01.
3 Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Département de Systématique et Évolution, UMR ISYEB 7205 MNHN CNRS EPHE Paris VI, 57 rue Cuvier, CP 51, 75005 Paris, France
*Corresponding author: Cel: (+225) 08 16 38 60, E-mail: kbohoussouhil@yahoo.fr
Original submitted in on 14th May 2014. Published online at www.m.elewa.org on 31st August 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jab.v80i1.7
ABSTRACT
Objective:
This study examined the intra-specific cranial morphometric variability
between populations of Malacomys edwardsi from three distinct
localities in Côte d’Ivoire.
Methodology and results: The data set focused on 23 cranial measurements recorded on 158 skulls of M. edwardsi from Adiopodoumé (n = 43), Bolo (n = 34) and Taï (n = 81). Sexual and geographical variations were investigated using univariate and multivariate statistics. No sexual dimorphism was recorded. However highly significant morphometric differences were observed between the three populations. This study observed a longitudinal clinal size variation for five measurements. Moreover, populations from the left bank of the Sassandra River are morphometrically closer to one another than to those found on the right bank.
Conclusions and application of findings: This study reveals that the three populations of M.edwardsi exhibited local morphological differentiation. Additional studies are needed to better explain the determinants of this variation (local adaptation, phylogenetic history). This is important for both the systematics and conservation of this endemic species of the West African forests.
Key words: Muridae, Malacomys edwardsi, Geographic variation, Traditional morphometric, Côte d’Ivoire.Methodology and results: The data set focused on 23 cranial measurements recorded on 158 skulls of M. edwardsi from Adiopodoumé (n = 43), Bolo (n = 34) and Taï (n = 81). Sexual and geographical variations were investigated using univariate and multivariate statistics. No sexual dimorphism was recorded. However highly significant morphometric differences were observed between the three populations. This study observed a longitudinal clinal size variation for five measurements. Moreover, populations from the left bank of the Sassandra River are morphometrically closer to one another than to those found on the right bank.
Conclusions and application of findings: This study reveals that the three populations of M.edwardsi exhibited local morphological differentiation. Additional studies are needed to better explain the determinants of this variation (local adaptation, phylogenetic history). This is important for both the systematics and conservation of this endemic species of the West African forests.
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