Molecular and genic systematics of prairie dogs (genus: Cynomys)

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dc.creatorMcCullough, David A
dc.date.accessioned2016-11-14T23:28:52Z
dc.date.available2011-02-18T22:09:50Z
dc.date.available2016-11-14T23:28:52Z
dc.date.issued1991-05
dc.degree.departmentBiologyen_US
dc.description.abstractIn the past, relationships of taxa of prairie dogs to each other and to other ground-dwelling squirrels were unclear. In this study I used a combination of genie analyses and restriction enzyme fragment patterns of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to analyze the various species and presumed subspecies of Cvnomvs. Outgroup taxa were examined to clarify relationships among these sciurid taxa. Results showed that prairie dogs fall into two distinct groups corresponding to currently recognized subgenera. Within Cvnomvs. five distinct species are recognized, but the subspeeific status of £.. aunnisoni zuniensis and C.. ludovicianus arizonensis is probably not warranted. Analyses also indicated a closer relationship between Cvnomvs and Spermophilus than with the other outgroup taxa. Finally, I present evidence that C.. leucurus may be the primitive taxon for the genus. The hypothesis that it hybridizes with C.. aunnisoni is likely false.
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2346/17684en_US
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherTexas Tech Universityen_US
dc.rights.availabilityUnrestricted.
dc.subjectPrairie dogs -- Speciationen_US
dc.subjectPrairie dogs -- Compositionen_US
dc.titleMolecular and genic systematics of prairie dogs (genus: Cynomys)
dc.typeDissertation

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