Collaborative Research: Systematics, Biogeography, and Ecogeographic Variation in Treeshrews (Mammalia, Scandentia)

该项目将研究树鼩的进化关系，树鼩是东南亚松鼠类哺乳动物的一个目（Scandentia）。树鼩在哺乳动物进化研究中占有重要地位，因为人们相信它们代表了最原始的胎盘哺乳动物群体之一。然而，关于物种数量及其相互关系的不确定性是惊人的，这对它们的保护和哺乳动物多样化研究构成了重大障碍。本研究将利用世界各地博物馆的资料，1)获得用于研究进化关系的DNA序列，2)记录解剖数据，3)将这些数据结合起来研究地理变异并确定现存物种的数量。东南亚正在经历一场保护危机，印度-马来亚群岛是世界上五个最热门的保护热点之一。该研究将对复杂地理环境下的生物多样性保护和认识具有重要意义。一名博士后将接受降解DNA测序方面的培训，她还将从事教学和外展工作。两名本科生也将接受培训。由此建立的树树博物馆标本数据库和通过网站向公众传播的信息将提高对东南亚生物多样性的认识。演讲和出版物将增进对树木多样性和东南亚生物地理学的理解。对社会的好处包括更明智的保护优先事项和提高对博物馆藏品价值的认识。

This project will study the evolutionary relationships of treeshrews, an order (Scandentia) of squirrel-like mammals from Southeast Asia. Treeshrews have featured prominently in studies of mammalian evolution due to the belief that they represent one of the most primitive groups of placental mammals. Uncertainty about the number of species and their interrelationships is striking, however, and represents a significant impediment to their conservation and studies of mammalian diversification. This study will utilize material in museums worldwide to 1) obtain DNA sequences with which evolutionary relationships will be studied, 2) record anatomical data and 3) combine these data to study geographic variation and identify the number of living species.Southeast Asia is undergoing a conservation crisis, and the Indo-Malayan archipelago is one of the world's five hottest conservation hotspots. This study will have implications for conservation and understanding diversification in geographically complex environments. A postdoc will be trained in degraded DNA sequencing, and she will also engage in teaching and outreach. Two undergraduates will also be trained. A resulting database of treeshrew museum specimens and dissemination of information to the public via web sites will promote awareness of SE Asian biodiversity. Presentations and publications will enhance understanding of treeshrew diversification and SE Asian biogeography. Benefits to society include more informed conservation priorities and increased awareness of the value of museum collections.