Paper
The taxonomic status of marsh rice rats (Oryzomys sp., Rodentia, Cricetidae) at the northern edge of their range in North America
Published Jun 21, 2023 · P. Conrad, K. M. Ibrahim, Jan M. Wójcik
Mammal Research
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Abstract
North American rice rats (Oryzomys) inhabit the coastal marshes and inland wetlands of the southeastern United States and parts of Mexico. The phylogeographic origins of rice rat populations in southern Illinois, the northern-most extent of their range in North America, has not previously been examined. Here, we present evidence, based on mitochondrial DNA sequencing, that rice rats in Southern Illinois belong to the western species, Oryzomys texensis and not Oryzomys palustris palustris as current range maps and previous morphological studies indicate. The pattern also points to a potential hybrid zone between the two species located further east than current distribution maps would suggest. Finally, we present a new estimate of the divergence time between O. palustris and O. texensis.
Rice rats in southern Illinois belong to the western species Oryzomys texensis, not Oryzomys palustris palustris, with a potential hybrid zone further east than current distribution maps suggest.
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