The red island and the seven dwarfs: body size reduction in Cheirogaleidae
The red island and the seven dwarfs: body size reduction in Cheirogaleidae
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红岛和七个小矮人:Cheirogaleidae的体型缩小
DOI:
10.1111/jbi.12327
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发表时间:
2014
影响因子:
3.9
通讯作者:
Masters J
中科院分区:
文献类型:
--
作者:
Masters J
AimSmall body size in Madagascar's dwarf and mouse lemurs (Cheirogaleidae) is generally viewed as primitive. We investigated the evolution of body size in this family and in its sister‐taxon, the Lepilemuridae, from phylogenetic, ontogenetic and adaptive perspectives.LocationMadagascar.MethodsWe used a phylogenetic method to reconstruct the evolution of body size in lemurs, and allometric regression models of gestation periods and static and growth allometries in Cheirogaleidae and Lepilemuridae to test the hypothesis that dwarfing occurred as a result of truncated ontogeny (progenesis). We also examined adaptive hypotheses relating body size to environmental variability, life history, seasonality of reproduction, hypothermy (use of torpor), and a diet rich in plant exudates.ResultsOur results indicated that cheirogaleids experienced at least four independent events of body size reduction from an ancestor as large as living Lepilemuridae, by means of progenesis. Our interpretation is supported by the paedomorphic appearance and parallel ontogenetic trajectories of the dwarf taxa, as well as their very short gestation periods and increased fecundity.Lepilemurspecies that occupy more predictable environments are significantly larger than those occupying unpredictable habitats.Main conclusionsCheirogaleidae appear to be paedomorphic dwarfs, a consequence of progenesis, probably as an adaptation to high environmental unpredictability. Although the capacity to use hypothermy is related to small body size, this advantage is unlikely to have driven dwarfing in cheirogaleids. We propose that gummmivory/exudativory co‐evolved with body size reduction in this clade, probably from a folivorous ancestor. Their small size is derived, and their suitability as models for the ‘ancestral primate’ is therefore dubious.
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DOI:
--
发表时间:
1995
期刊:
影响因子:
--
作者:
J. Masters;R. J. Rayner;I. Tattersall
通讯作者:
I. Tattersall
DOI:
--
发表时间:
1975
期刊:
影响因子:
--
作者:
F. Szalay
通讯作者:
F. Szalay
影响因子:
2.4
作者:
P. Kappeler
通讯作者:
P. Kappeler
DOI:
--
发表时间:
2004
期刊:
影响因子:
--
作者:
W. Arthur
通讯作者:
W. Arthur
影响因子:
1.6
作者:
N. Mzilikazi;B. G. Lovegrove
通讯作者:
B. G. Lovegrove