Scholarlink

Abstract <p>Geometric morphometrics methods were used to study the manifestations of various forms of variation in the outpost, isolated from the main range of the northern population of the lesser white-toothed shrew <i>Crocidura suaveolens</i> (Pallas, 1811) of the Southern Urals using the example of variation in centroid size (CS—centroid size) and the shape of the mandible. Chronographic variability and sexual dimorphism in the Chelyabinsk outpost population were compared with geographical variability in comparison with two remote Kabardino-Balkarian and Krasnodar populations from the central part of the range. The assessment of developmental stability was carried out by analyzing the pattern of the nearest neighboring points of the within-group morphospace (<i>MNND</i>—mean nearest neighbor distance). The nutritional features of shrews were assessed by morphofunctional mandibular indices. In the outpost population of the lesser white-toothed shrew, in the years contrasting in climatic conditions (2005–2006), changes in the age structure and sex ratio, instability in the development of mandibles, and changes in their shape and functions during mechanical processing of feed were detected. Significant chronographic variation of the mandible was revealed, which was greater than the range of sex differences in the outpost population. The geographical variation between the isolated Chelyabinsk and two remote populations from the center of the range exceeded the scope of chronographic variation in the Chelyabinsk outpost population. The index of within-group morphological disparity (<i>MNND</i>) of mandibles in males and females samples (with the exception of females of 2005) is significantly higher than the expected random values, which proves the manifestation of destabilization of morphogenesis of both sexes in the outpost population in both years. In the rainy year of 2006, the values of the <i>MI</i>, <i>MM</i>, and <i>AM</i> mandibular indexes in males and females differ significantly, indicating that they use different components of the diet during this year, which can reduce trophic competition between the sexes. The revealed high phenotypic plasticity and synanthropic properties of the species make it possible to predict the possibility of further invasion of the lesser white-toothed shrew to the north of the Southern Urals with climate warming, which is important to consider owing to its ability to transmit vector-borne diseases dangerous to humans.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Variability of Northern Isolated Outpost Population of Lesser White-Toothed Shrew Crocidura suaveolens (Pallas, 1811) (Eulipotyphla: Soricidae) in the Southern Urals as an Invasive Synanthropic Species

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月11日

查看全文
  • A. G. Vasil’ev,
  • N. F. Chernousova,
  • M. V. Chibiryak,
  • I. P. Didkovsky

摘要

Abstract

Geometric morphometrics methods were used to study the manifestations of various forms of variation in the outpost, isolated from the main range of the northern population of the lesser white-toothed shrew Crocidura suaveolens (Pallas, 1811) of the Southern Urals using the example of variation in centroid size (CS—centroid size) and the shape of the mandible. Chronographic variability and sexual dimorphism in the Chelyabinsk outpost population were compared with geographical variability in comparison with two remote Kabardino-Balkarian and Krasnodar populations from the central part of the range. The assessment of developmental stability was carried out by analyzing the pattern of the nearest neighboring points of the within-group morphospace (MNND—mean nearest neighbor distance). The nutritional features of shrews were assessed by morphofunctional mandibular indices. In the outpost population of the lesser white-toothed shrew, in the years contrasting in climatic conditions (2005–2006), changes in the age structure and sex ratio, instability in the development of mandibles, and changes in their shape and functions during mechanical processing of feed were detected. Significant chronographic variation of the mandible was revealed, which was greater than the range of sex differences in the outpost population. The geographical variation between the isolated Chelyabinsk and two remote populations from the center of the range exceeded the scope of chronographic variation in the Chelyabinsk outpost population. The index of within-group morphological disparity (MNND) of mandibles in males and females samples (with the exception of females of 2005) is significantly higher than the expected random values, which proves the manifestation of destabilization of morphogenesis of both sexes in the outpost population in both years. In the rainy year of 2006, the values of the MI, MM, and AM mandibular indexes in males and females differ significantly, indicating that they use different components of the diet during this year, which can reduce trophic competition between the sexes. The revealed high phenotypic plasticity and synanthropic properties of the species make it possible to predict the possibility of further invasion of the lesser white-toothed shrew to the north of the Southern Urals with climate warming, which is important to consider owing to its ability to transmit vector-borne diseases dangerous to humans.