Ecomorphological characteristics of Afroalpine rodent communities
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F68081766%3A_____%2F24%3A00597928" target="_blank" >RIV/68081766:_____/24:00597928 - isvavai.cz</a>
Alternative codes found
RIV/60076658:12310/24:43908442
Result on the web
<a href="https://bioone.org/journalArticle/Download?urlId=10.25225%2Fjvb.24027" target="_blank" >https://bioone.org/journalArticle/Download?urlId=10.25225%2Fjvb.24027</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.25225/jvb.24027" target="_blank" >10.25225/jvb.24027</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Ecomorphological characteristics of Afroalpine rodent communities
Original language description
Rodents comprise around half of all mammalian species, showcasing their remarkable adaptability to thrive in almost all terrestrial habitats. Their evolutionary success is exemplified by a wide range of morphological features reflecting various feeding and locomotory adaptations. This study examines the functional variation in cranial and mandibular traits as well as locomotion indices in rodent communities within the high-altitude Afroalpine environment of the Ethiopian Highlands. The findings reveal two distinct patterns in cranial and mandibular traits. One pattern is associated with dietary differences, distinguishing the primarily herbivorous species Otomys helleri, Arvicanthis abyssinicus and Lophuromys melanonyx, which are characterised by relatively long molar rows, massive mandibles, and likely enhanced bite force, from the generally omnivorous genus Stenocephalemys and the more faunivorous Lophuromys flavopunctatus. The second pattern indicates that species in the Afroalpine ecosystem have adapted to life in distinct habitats across different elevational zones. Species from the highest elevational zones within the genera Stenocephalemys and Lophuromys exhibit convergent morphological adaptations for life in open habitats, characterised by their larger size, narrower interorbital constriction, and larger orbits. Regarding locomotion, our study emphasises the unique morphology of Otomys, which is characterised by equally long forelimbs and hindlimbs. This corresponds to its predominant fast quadrupedal running. In contrast, Stenocephalemys species are likely to rely more on saltatory locomotion. Among them, the forest-dwelling S. albipes likely demonstrates the most advanced form of this locomotory style. The study highlights significant functional diversification in rodent assemblages from the Ethiopian Highlands, primarily driven by foraging and locomotor ecologies. This morphological variation has likely contributed to shaping the rich rodent communities integral to the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot, globally recognized for its significance in mammal endemism.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
10619 - Biodiversity conservation
Result continuities
Project
<a href="/en/project/GC20-07091J" target="_blank" >GC20-07091J: Small mammals of Eastern African Mountains: evolutionary diversification and endemism in one of the world´s most important biodiversity hot-spots</a><br>
Continuities
I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace
Others
Publication year
2024
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Journal of Vertebrate Biology
ISSN
2694-7684
e-ISSN
2694-7684
Volume of the periodical
73
Issue of the periodical within the volume
24027
Country of publishing house
CZ - CZECH REPUBLIC
Number of pages
20
Pages from-to
24027
UT code for WoS article
001293535700001
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-85200584843