Prenatal postcranial development in two species of sympatric Japanese wood mice (<i>Apodemus argenteus</i> and <i>A. speciosus</i>): a comparison of arboreal versus terrestrial congeners
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- KOYABU Daisuke
- The University Museum, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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Description
<p>Habitats of two closely related Japanese field mice, Apodemus argenteus and A. speciosus, broadly overlap in many Japanese forests. A. argenteus being more arboreal and A. speciosus being more terrestrial, it is thought that such ecological segregation allows their sympatric distribution. Comparing these two congeners, whether ecological difference is reflected in postcranial development was examined. Although overall ossification sequences were virtually identical, development of the caudal vertebrae was remarkably earlier in A. argenteus. One of the clearest morphological differences between the two species is the relative length of the tail, which is arguably related to the degree of arboreality. I suggest that accelerated ossification of the caudal vertebrae found in A. argenteus is related to its elongation of the tail.</p>
Journal
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- Journal of Veterinary Medical Science
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Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 79 (5), 952-956, 2017
JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE
