We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
The distribution of the water rat Dasymys (Muridae) in Africa: a review.
- Authors
Mullin, S. K.; Pillay, N.; Taylor, P. J.
- Abstract
The genus Dasymys is widespread throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Once regarded as monotypic, we described 11 morphologically defined Dasymys species in a previous study. Dasymys is adapted for living in mesic areas, which possibly explains its disjunct distribution throughout its range. Here, we postulate that the distribution of the 11 species in Africa can be explained as reflecting the presence of water sources, which in turn define current geographical features, as well as the palaeoclimatic history of the continent. We compare the distribution of Dasymys with that of other animals, particularly other rodents, to examine whether there are similarities in occurrence across taxa with similar habitat requirements and to consider how geographical features influenced the distribution of small animals. The fossil record indicates that Dasymys originated in southern Africa, implying that the genus migrated northwards into the rest of Africa. Dasymys is divided into two morphologically defined groups: a southern group (D. capensis, D. incomtus, D. robertsii, D. shortridgei and D. nudipes) and a northern group (D. medius, D. montanus, D. griseifrons, D. longipilosus, D. foxi and the D. rufulus complex). Within the northern group, two possible radiation routes are suggested, one from Mozambique to Ethiopia and the other from Zambia to northern Angola and northwards through Central Africa to West Africa. These routes are based on the past or current presence of continuous water features in conjunction with morphological affinities observed for Dasymys species. We envisage that our model may be used to generate testable hypotheses in future investigations; for example, genetic studies could be conducted to complement the morphometric classification.
- Subjects
SUB-Saharan Africa; RATS; ZOOGEOGRAPHY; ANIMAL populations; MURIDAE
- Publication
South African Journal of Science, 2005, Vol 101, Issue 3/4, p117
- ISSN
0038-2353
- Publication type
Article