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Mitchell DR, Sherratt E, Weisbecker V. Facing the facts: adaptive trade-offs along body size ranges determine mammalian craniofacial scaling. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:496-524. [PMID: 38029779 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian cranium (skull without lower jaw) is representative of mammalian diversity and is thus of particular interest to mammalian biologists across disciplines. One widely retrieved pattern accompanying mammalian cranial diversification is referred to as 'craniofacial evolutionary allometry' (CREA). This posits that adults of larger species, in a group of closely related mammals, tend to have relatively longer faces and smaller braincases. However, no process has been officially suggested to explain this pattern, there are many apparent exceptions, and its predictions potentially conflict with well-established biomechanical principles. Understanding the mechanisms behind CREA and causes for deviations from the pattern therefore has tremendous potential to explain allometry and diversification of the mammalian cranium. Here, we propose an amended framework to characterise the CREA pattern more clearly, in that 'longer faces' can arise through several kinds of evolutionary change, including elongation of the rostrum, retraction of the jaw muscles, or a more narrow or shallow skull, which all result in a generalised gracilisation of the facial skeleton with increased size. We define a standardised workflow to test for the presence of the pattern, using allometric shape predictions derived from geometric morphometrics analysis, and apply this to 22 mammalian families including marsupials, rabbits, rodents, bats, carnivores, antelopes, and whales. Our results show that increasing facial gracility with size is common, but not necessarily as ubiquitous as previously suggested. To address the mechanistic basis for this variation, we then review cranial adaptations for harder biting. These dictate that a more gracile cranium in larger species must represent a structural sacrifice in the ability to produce or withstand harder bites, relative to size. This leads us to propose that facial gracilisation in larger species is often a product of bite force allometry and phylogenetic niche conservatism, where more closely related species tend to exhibit more similar feeding ecology and biting behaviours and, therefore, absolute (size-independent) bite force requirements. Since larger species can produce the same absolute bite forces as smaller species with less effort, we propose that relaxed bite force demands can permit facial gracility in response to bone optimisation and alternative selection pressures. Thus, mammalian facial scaling represents an adaptive by-product of the shifting importance of selective pressures occurring with increased size. A reverse pattern of facial 'shortening' can accordingly also be found, and is retrieved in several cases here, where larger species incorporate novel feeding behaviours involving greater bite forces. We discuss multiple exceptions to a bite force-mediated influence on facial proportions across mammals which lead us to argue that ecomorphological specialisation of the cranium is likely to be the primary driver of facial scaling patterns, with some developmental constraints as possible secondary factors. A potential for larger species to have a wider range of cranial functions when less constrained by bite force demands might also explain why selection for larger sizes seems to be prevalent in some mammalian clades. The interplay between adaptation and constraint across size ranges thus presents an interesting consideration for a mechanistically grounded investigation of mammalian cranial allometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Rex Mitchell
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Wollongong, New South Wales, 2522, Australia
| | - Emma Sherratt
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
- South Australian Museum, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Vera Weisbecker
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Wollongong, New South Wales, 2522, Australia
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2
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Cardini A, de Jong YA, Butynski TM. Can morphotaxa be assessed with photographs? Estimating the accuracy of two-dimensional cranial geometric morphometrics for the study of threatened populations of African monkeys. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2021; 305:1402-1434. [PMID: 34596361 PMCID: PMC9298422 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The classification of most mammalian orders and families is under debate and the number of species is likely greater than currently recognized. Improving taxonomic knowledge is crucial, as biodiversity is in rapid decline. Morphology is a source of taxonomic knowledge, and geometric morphometrics applied to two dimensional (2D) photographs of anatomical structures is commonly employed for quantifying differences within and among lineages. Photographs are informative, easy to obtain, and low cost. 2D analyses, however, introduce a large source of measurement error when applied to crania and other highly three dimensional (3D) structures. To explore the potential of 2D analyses for assessing taxonomic diversity, we use patas monkeys (Erythrocebus), a genus of large, semi-terrestrial, African guenons, as a case study. By applying a range of tests to compare ventral views of adult crania measured both in 2D and 3D, we show that, despite inaccuracies accounting for up to one-fourth of individual shape differences, results in 2D almost perfectly mirror those in 3D. This apparent paradox might be explained by the small strength of covariation in the component of shape variance related to measurement error. A rigorous standardization of photographic settings and the choice of almost coplanar landmarks are likely to further improve the correspondence of 2D to 3D shapes. 2D geometric morphometrics is, thus, appropriate for taxonomic comparisons of patas ventral crania. Although it is too early to generalize, our results corroborate similar findings from previous research in mammals, and suggest that 2D shape analyses are an effective heuristic tool for morphological investigation of small differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Yvonne A de Jong
- Eastern Africa Primate Diversity and Conservation Program and Lolldaiga Hills Research Programme, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - Thomas M Butynski
- Eastern Africa Primate Diversity and Conservation Program and Lolldaiga Hills Research Programme, Nanyuki, Kenya
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Scalici M, Spani F, Traversetti L, Carpaneto GM, Piras P. Cranial shape parallelism in soft-furred sengis: moving on a geographic gradient. J Mammal 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyy130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Scalici
- Department of Sciences, University “Roma Tre,” Viale Guglielmo Marconi, Roma, Italy
| | - Federica Spani
- Department of Sciences, University “Roma Tre,” Viale Guglielmo Marconi, Roma, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Traversetti
- Department of Sciences, University “Roma Tre,” Viale Guglielmo Marconi, Roma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe M Carpaneto
- Department of Sciences, University “Roma Tre,” Viale Guglielmo Marconi, Roma, Italy
| | - Paolo Piras
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari, Respiratorie, Nefrologiche, Anestesiologiche e Geriatriche, Università La Sapienza, Viale del Policlinico, Roma, Italy
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Strutturale e Geotecnica, Università La Sapienza, Via Eudossiana, Roma, Italy
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4
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Usui K, Tokita M. Creating diversity in mammalian facial morphology: a review of potential developmental mechanisms. EvoDevo 2018; 9:15. [PMID: 29946416 PMCID: PMC6003202 DOI: 10.1186/s13227-018-0103-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammals (class Mammalia) have evolved diverse craniofacial morphology to adapt to a wide range of ecological niches. However, the genetic and developmental mechanisms underlying the diversification of mammalian craniofacial morphology remain largely unknown. In this paper, we focus on the facial length and orofacial clefts of mammals and deduce potential mechanisms that produced diversity in mammalian facial morphology. Small-scale changes in facial morphology from the common ancestor, such as slight changes in facial length and the evolution of the midline cleft in some lineages of bats, could be attributed to heterochrony in facial bone ossification. In contrast, large-scale changes of facial morphology from the common ancestor, such as a truncated, widened face as well as the evolution of the bilateral cleft possessed by some bat species, could be brought about by changes in growth and patterning of the facial primordium (the facial processes) at the early stages of embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru Usui
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8510 Japan
| | - Masayoshi Tokita
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8510 Japan
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Catalano SA, Torres A. Phylogenetic inference based on landmark data in 41 empirical data sets. ZOOL SCR 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Santiago A. Catalano
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Unidad Ejecutora Lillo (UEL); FML-CONICET; Miguel Lillo 251, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán Tucumán Argentina
| | - Ambrosio Torres
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Unidad Ejecutora Lillo (UEL); FML-CONICET; Miguel Lillo 251, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán Tucumán Argentina
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Finlay S, Cooper N. Morphological diversity in tenrecs (Afrosoricida, Tenrecidae): comparing tenrec skull diversity to their closest relatives. PeerJ 2015; 3:e927. [PMID: 25945316 PMCID: PMC4419542 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
It is important to quantify patterns of morphological diversity to enhance our understanding of variation in ecological and evolutionary traits. Here, we present a quantitative analysis of morphological diversity in a family of small mammals, the tenrecs (Afrosoricida, Tenrecidae). Tenrecs are often cited as an example of an exceptionally morphologically diverse group. However, this assumption has not been tested quantitatively. We use geometric morphometric analyses of skull shape to test whether tenrecs are more morphologically diverse than their closest relatives, the golden moles (Afrosoricida, Chrysochloridae). Tenrecs occupy a wider range of ecological niches than golden moles so we predict that they will be more morphologically diverse. Contrary to our expectations, we find that tenrec skulls are only more morphologically diverse than golden moles when measured in lateral view. Furthermore, similarities among the species-rich Microgale tenrec genus appear to mask higher morphological diversity in the rest of the family. These results reveal new insights into the morphological diversity of tenrecs and highlight the importance of using quantitative methods to test qualitative assumptions about patterns of morphological diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sive Finlay
- School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Natalie Cooper
- School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
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7
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Catalano SA, Ercoli MD, Prevosti FJ. The More, the Better: The Use of Multiple Landmark Configurations to Solve the Phylogenetic Relationships in Musteloids. Syst Biol 2014; 64:294-306. [DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syu107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Santiago A. Catalano
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; 2Unidad Ejecutora Lillo (UEL), Miguel Lillo 251, 4000 S.M. de Tucumán, Argentina; 3Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, División Mastozoología, Av. Angel Gallardo 470. C1405DJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; and 4Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; 2Unidad Ejecutora Lillo (UEL), Miguel Lillo 251, 4000 S.M. de Tucumán, Argentina; 3Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, División Mastozoología, Av. Angel Gallardo 470. C1405DJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; and 4Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcos D. Ercoli
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; 2Unidad Ejecutora Lillo (UEL), Miguel Lillo 251, 4000 S.M. de Tucumán, Argentina; 3Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, División Mastozoología, Av. Angel Gallardo 470. C1405DJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; and 4Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; 2Unidad Ejecutora Lillo (UEL), Miguel Lillo 251, 4000 S.M. de Tucumán, Argentina; 3Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, División Mastozoología, Av. Angel Gallardo 470. C1405DJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; and 4Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Francisco J. Prevosti
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; 2Unidad Ejecutora Lillo (UEL), Miguel Lillo 251, 4000 S.M. de Tucumán, Argentina; 3Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, División Mastozoología, Av. Angel Gallardo 470. C1405DJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; and 4Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; 2Unidad Ejecutora Lillo (UEL), Miguel Lillo 251, 4000 S.M. de Tucumán, Argentina; 3Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, División Mastozoología, Av. Angel Gallardo 470. C1405DJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; and 4Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; 2Unidad Ejecutora Lillo (UEL), Miguel Lillo 251, 4000 S.M. de Tucumán, Argentina; 3Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, División Mastozoología, Av. Angel Gallardo 470. C1405DJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; and 4Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Abu Baker MA, Brown JS. Patch use behaviour of Elephantulus myurus and Micaelamys namaquensis: the role of diet, foraging substrates and escape substrates. Afr J Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2028.2011.01309.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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9
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Scalici M, Panchetti F. Morphological cranial diversity contributes to phylogeny in soft-furred sengis (Afrotheria, Macroscelidea). ZOOLOGY 2011; 114:85-94. [PMID: 21333512 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2010.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2009] [Revised: 08/30/2010] [Accepted: 09/19/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Despite the well-supported Macroscelidea phylogeny proposed at the end of the 1960s, several systematic arrangements have been suggested in the last 20 years, raising doubts about the phylogeny of the Macroscelidinae; sengi inter-specific relationships are still debated to this day. The main issue of concern involves the supposed Elephantulus diphyly. To solve this persisting debate about sengi phylogeny, we examined the cranium ventral surface of 13 species using geometric morphometric techniques and neighbour-joining algorithms. This study supported the idea that the ventral side of the sengi cranium has the potential to provide important signals for reconstructing the Macroscelidea phylogeny. The phylogenetic signals seemed to differentiate between two major clades in the sengi radiation. In the first clade, the two monospecific genera (Petrodromus and Macroscelides), the two African Horn species (Elephantulus revoilii and E. rufescens), and the only North African species (E. rozeti) were clustered together. The second clade includes the remnant south-central African Elephantulus species. Our results were in agreement with both mitochondrial and nuclear data, confirmed that there is no Elephantulus monophyly and highlighted the close relationship between Petrodromus and E. rozeti. It appears that all the soft-furred sengi species are organised in two evolutionary lines: an old monophyletic clade, comprising only Elephantulus species, and a new polyphyletic clade, including P. tetradactylus, M. proboscideus, and E. rozeti. This requires a taxonomic and nomenclatural rearrangement within Macroscelidinae, where the phylogenetic position of the remnant 4 (of 12) Elephantulus species has yet to be fully defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Scalici
- Department of Biology, Roma Tre University, viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy.
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Klingenberg CP, Gidaszewski NA. Testing and Quantifying Phylogenetic Signals and Homoplasy in Morphometric Data. Syst Biol 2010; 59:245-61. [DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syp106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 272] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Peter Klingenberg
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Nelly A. Gidaszewski
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
- Present address: Département Systématique et Evolution, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, UMR CNRS 7205, 45 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France; E-mail:
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11
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Rathbun GB. Why is there discordant diversity in sengi (Mammalia: Afrotheria: Macroscelidea) taxonomy and ecology? Afr J Ecol 2009. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2028.2009.01102.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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12
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Ivanović A, Sotiropoulos K, Džukić G, Kalezić ML. Skull size and shape variation versus molecular phylogeny: a case study of alpine newts (Mesotriton alpestris, Salamandridae) from the Balkan Peninsula. ZOOMORPHOLOGY 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s00435-009-0085-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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13
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Cooper WJ, Albertson RC. Quantification and variation in experimental studies of morphogenesis. Dev Biol 2008; 321:295-302. [PMID: 18619435 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2008.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2008] [Revised: 06/17/2008] [Accepted: 06/18/2008] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The application of quantitative methods has long been the norm in comparative and evolutionary studies of morphology, but within the field of experimental embryology mathematical descriptions of anatomical form are seldom calculated, and morphological variation within treatment groups is rarely taken into account. Here we argue that many of the analytical techniques that are commonly applied in other areas of morphological research are also well suited for experimental studies of anatomical development. The application of these methodologies shows promise for augmenting such endeavors by enhancing researchers' ability to detect morphological patterns, account for developmental variation, and employ statistical methods. We review selected studies of experimental morphogenesis that underscore the potential of quantitative methods to reveal important aspects of anatomical development and growth. These examples demonstrate the benefits of quantifying ontogenetic data and accounting for developmental variation, and we suggest that the adoption of such practices by researchers performing experimental studies of morphogenesis will enhance our understanding of the processes by which genetic changes affect anatomical formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- W James Cooper
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 130 College Place, Biological Research Laboratories, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA.
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