Publication Date

1-1-2016

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Porter, Leila M.

Degree Name

B.S. (Bachelor of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Biological Sciences

Abstract

Tamarins of the genus Leontocebus (formerly Saguinus), subfamily Callitrichinae, represent one of the most diverse primate taxa but detailed information about their phylogeny is still lacking. Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses have led to the reclassification of many taxa. In Peru, ten subspecies of tamarins were reclassified as eight new species and four new subspecies based on genetic differences among these taxa. However, no one has attempted to determine whether these new “genetic species” have distinguishable morphological traits. To do this, we examined twenty crania and skins representing five Peruvian “genetic species” housed in the Mammals Collection at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Illinois. We measured thirty linear craniofacial characters using digital calipers and photographed the pelage of all specimens. We log-transformed and analyzed the data using the Discriminant Analysis module of SPSS 23. We qualitatively compared the pelage color and pattern of all furs. Our study demonstrates that the “genetic species” can be distinguished by their cranial anatomy. Thus, the “genetic species” represent morphologically distinct populations, as is expected if they represent evolutionarily distinct taxa.

Extent

22 Pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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