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De Mendoza RS, Carril J, Degrange FJ, Tambussi CP. Specialized diving traits in the generalist morphology of Fulica (Aves, Rallidae). Sci Rep 2024; 14:13966. [PMID: 38886412 PMCID: PMC11183161 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64853-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Foot-propelled diving comprises the primary locomotion-based feeding strategy for many birds, including families such as Phalacrocoracidae, Anhingidae, Podicipedidae, Gaviidae, and the diving ducks within Anatidae. While the morphology of specialized divers is well known, the corresponding morphology is less known for birds not as specialized but capable of diving, such as the coots (Rallidae, Fulica spp.). To compare the osteology of Fulica with other (non-diving) Rallidae, and with foot-propelled diving birds that are distantly related, we considered osteological characters, as well as the proportion of the hind limb bones and the femoral splay angle to construct a phylomorphospace, and to perform a comparative disparity analysis considering ecomorphologically relevant characters related to swimming and diving. Coots resulted to be significantly disparate from other Rallidae showing many traits of specialized foot-propelled divers, but only noticeable when compared with other rallids, as the degree of development of these traits is markedly less than in loons, grebes, or cormorants. This may correspond to a stabilizing selection of characteristics associated with a generalist morphology in Fulica. Studying adaptation in generalist taxa broadens our understanding of ecomorphologically significant features, thereby enabling us to generalize their evolutionary patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Santiago De Mendoza
- Laboratorio de Histología y Embriología Descriptiva, Experimental y Comparada (LHYEDEC), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Julieta Carril
- Laboratorio de Histología y Embriología Descriptiva, Experimental y Comparada (LHYEDEC), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico Javier Degrange
- Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de La Tierra (CICTERRA), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Claudia Patricia Tambussi
- Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de La Tierra (CICTERRA), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
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Anderson SC, Kovarovic K, Barr WA. A 3D geometric morphometric analysis of the bovid distal humerus, with special reference to Rusingoryx atopocranion (Pleistocene, Eastern Africa). J Anat 2024. [PMID: 38733157 DOI: 10.1111/joa.14062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The family Bovidae [Mammalia: Artiodactyla] is speciose and has extant representatives on every continent, forming key components of mammal communities. For these reasons, bovids are ideal candidates for studies of ecomorphology. In particular, the morphology of the bovid humerus has been identified as highly related to functional variables such as body mass and habitat. This study investigates the functional morphology of the bovid distal humerus in isolation due to its increased likelihood of preservation in the fossil record, and the resulting opportunity for a better understanding of the ecomorphology of extinct bovids. A landmark scheme of 30 landmarks was used to capture the 3D distal humerus morphology in 111 extant bovid specimens. We find that the distal humerus has identifiable morphologies associated with body mass, habitat preference and tribe affiliation and that some characteristics are shared between high body mass bovids and those living on hard, flat terrain which is likely due to the high stress on the bone in both cases. We directly apply our findings regarding extant bovids to the extinct alcelaphine bovid, Rusingoryx atopocranion from the mid to late Pleistocene (>33-45 ka) Lake Victoria region of Kenya. This species is known for some peculiar morphologies including a domed cranium with hollow nasal crests, and having small hooves for a bovid of its size. Another interesting aspect of Rusingoryx's skeletal morphology which has not been addressed is an unusual protrusion on the lateral epicondyle of the distal humerus. Despite considerable individual variation in the Rusingoryx specimens, we find evidence to support its historical assignment to the tribe Alcelaphini, and that it likely preferred open grassland habitats, which is consistent with independent reconstructions of the palaeoenvironment. We also provide the most accurate body mass estimate for Rusingoryx to date, based on distal humerus centroid size. Overall, we are able to conclude that the distal humerus in extant bovids is highly informative regarding body mass, habitat preference and tribe, and that this can be applied directly to a fossil taxon with promising results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kris Kovarovic
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - W Andrew Barr
- Department of Anthropology, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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3
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Wimberly AN. Predicting body mass in Ruminantia using postcranial measurements. J Morphol 2023; 284:e21636. [PMID: 37708510 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Size plays an important role in mammalian ecology. Accurate prediction of body mass is therefore critical for inferring aspects of ecology in extinct mammals. The unique digestive physiology of extant ruminant artiodactyls, in particular, is suggested to place constraints on their body mass depending on the type of food resources available. Therefore, reliable body mass estimates could provide insight into the habitat preferences of extinct ruminants. While most regression equations proposed thus far have used craniodental predictors, which for ungulates may produce misleading estimates based on indirect relationships between tooth dimensions and size, postcranial bones support the body and may be more accurate predictors of body mass. Here, I use phylogenetically informed bivariate and multiple regression techniques to establish predictive equations for body mass in 101 species of extant ruminant artiodactyls based on 56 postcranial measurements. Within limb elements, stepwise multiple regression models were typically preferred, though bivariate models often received comparable support based on Akaike's information criterion scores. The globally preferred model for predicting mass is a model including both proximal and distal width of the humerus, though several models from the radioulna received comparable support. In general, widths of long bones were good predictors, while lengths and midshaft circumferences were not. Finally, I show that where the best elements for prediction are unavailable for fossil taxa, selection of the model with lowest percent prediction error for the lowest level clade to which the fossil can be assigned could be a productive and novel way forward for predicting mass and subsequently aspects of ecology in fossil mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa N Wimberly
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Skedros JG, Cronin JT, Dayton MR, Bloebaum RD, Bachus KN. Exploration of the synergistic role of cortical thickness asymmetry ("Trabecular Eccentricity" concept) in reducing fracture risk in the human femoral neck and a control bone (Artiodactyl Calcaneus). J Theor Biol 2023; 567:111495. [PMID: 37068584 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2023.111495] [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: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
The mechanobiology of the human femoral neck is a focus of research for many reasons including studies that aim to curb age-related bone loss that contributes to a near-exponential rate of hip fractures. Many believe that the femoral neck is often loaded in rather simple bending, which causes net tension stress in the upper (superior) femoral neck and net compression stress in its inferior aspect ("T/C paradigm"). This T/C loading regime lacks in vivo proof. The "C/C paradigm" is a plausible alternative simplified load history that is characterized by a gradient of net compression across the entire femoral neck; action of the gluteus medius and external rotators of the hip are important in this context. It is unclear which paradigm is at play in natural loading due to lack of in vivo bone strain data and deficiencies in understanding mechanisms and manifestations of bone adaptation in tension vs. compression. For these reasons, studies of the femoral neck would benefit from being compared to a 'control bone' that has been proven, by strain data, to be habitually loaded in bending. The artiodactyl (sheep and deer) calcaneus model has been shown to be a very suitable control in this context. However, the application of this control in understanding the load history of the femoral neck has only been attempted in two prior studies, which did not examine the interplay between cortical and trabecular bone, or potential load-sharing influences of tendons and ligaments. Our first goal is to compare fracture risk factors of the femoral neck in both paradigms. Our second goal is to compare and contrast the deer calcaneus to the human femoral neck in terms of fracture risk factors in the T/C paradigm (the C/C paradigm is not applicable in the artiodactyl calcaneus due to its highly constrained loading). Our third goal explores interplay between dorsal/compression and plantar/tension regions of the deer calcaneus and the load-sharing roles of a nearby ligament and tendon, with insights for translation to the femoral neck. These goals were achieved by employing the analytical model of Fox and Keaveny (J. Theoretical Biology 2001, 2003) that estimates fracture risk factors of the femoral neck. This model focuses on biomechanical advantages of the asymmetric distribution of cortical bone in the direction of habitual loading. The cortical thickness asymmetry of the femoral neck (thin superior cortex, thick inferior cortex) reflects the superior-inferior placement of trabecular bone (i.e., "trabecular eccentricity," TE). TE helps the femoral neck adapt to typical stresses and strains through load-sharing between superior and inferior cortices. Our goals were evaluated in the context of TE. Results showed the C/C paradigm has lower risk factors for the superior cortex and for the overall femoral neck, which is clinically relevant. TE analyses of the deer calcaneus revealed important synergism in load-sharing between the plantar/tension cortex and adjacent ligament/tendon, which challenges conventional understanding of how this control bone achieves functional adaptation. Comparisons with the control bone also exposed important deficiencies in current understanding of human femoral neck loading and its potential histocompositional adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Skedros
- University of Utah, Department of Orthopaedics, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - John T Cronin
- University of Utah, Department of Orthopaedics, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Michael R Dayton
- University of Colorado, Department of Orthopedics, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Roy D Bloebaum
- University of Utah, Department of Orthopaedics, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Kent N Bachus
- University of Utah, Department of Orthopaedics, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Calede JJM. The oldest semi-aquatic beaver in the world and a new hypothesis for the evolution of locomotion in Castoridae. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220926. [PMID: 36016911 DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6154283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The North American rodent fossil record includes hundreds of species representing both an incredible taxonomic diversity and great ecological disparity. Although it is during the Oligocene that taxonomic diversity first peaks, it is not until the Miocene, almost 10 Myr later, that many ecologies, particularly locomotory ecologies, are recorded. Here, I present a new Oligocene-aged species of beaver from Montana, Microtheriomys articulaquaticus sp. nov., which represents the oldest semi-aquatic rodent in North America and the oldest amphibious beaver in the world, pushing the advent of semi-aquatic ecology in beavers by 7 Myr. I also provide morphological data supporting a terrestrial ecology for the sister taxon to Castoridae. Together with existing data, these findings lead to a new hypothesis for the evolutionary ecology of castorids whereby swimming was exapted from burrowing during the Oligocene. This evolution of semi-aquatic locomotion may have taken place in North America instead of Eurasia. It started in small beavers with gigantism achieved only much later. Indeed, body size evolution in castoroids follows a directional drift. Beavers obey Cope's rule, a selection for larger size over time that appears associated with semi-aquatic ecology and may well explain their low modern diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J M Calede
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University at Marion, 1459 Mount Vernon Avenue, Marion, OH 43302, USA
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6
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Calede JJM. The oldest semi-aquatic beaver in the world and a new hypothesis for the evolution of locomotion in Castoridae. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220926. [PMID: 36016911 PMCID: PMC9399697 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The North American rodent fossil record includes hundreds of species representing both an incredible taxonomic diversity and great ecological disparity. Although it is during the Oligocene that taxonomic diversity first peaks, it is not until the Miocene, almost 10 Myr later, that many ecologies, particularly locomotory ecologies, are recorded. Here, I present a new Oligocene-aged species of beaver from Montana, Microtheriomys articulaquaticus sp. nov., which represents the oldest semi-aquatic rodent in North America and the oldest amphibious beaver in the world, pushing the advent of semi-aquatic ecology in beavers by 7 Myr. I also provide morphological data supporting a terrestrial ecology for the sister taxon to Castoridae. Together with existing data, these findings lead to a new hypothesis for the evolutionary ecology of castorids whereby swimming was exapted from burrowing during the Oligocene. This evolution of semi-aquatic locomotion may have taken place in North America instead of Eurasia. It started in small beavers with gigantism achieved only much later. Indeed, body size evolution in castoroids follows a directional drift. Beavers obey Cope's rule, a selection for larger size over time that appears associated with semi-aquatic ecology and may well explain their low modern diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J. M. Calede
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University at Marion, 1459 Mount Vernon Avenue, Marion, OH 43302, USA
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Short RA, Lawing AM. Geography of artiodactyl locomotor morphology as an environmental predictor. DIVERS DISTRIB 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A. Short
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology Texas A&M University College Station TX USA
- School of Biological Sciences Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta GA USA
| | - A. Michelle Lawing
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology Texas A&M University College Station TX USA
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8
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Dunn RH, Avery JE. Ecomorphological variation in artiodactyl calcanei using 3D geometric morphometrics. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2020; 304:1529-1540. [PMID: 33099873 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Artiodactyl postcrania are commonly used as paleoecological indicators but these studies are usually limited to artiodactyls within a single family. Here, we use 3D geometric morphometrics to analyze the morphology of calcanei from five artiodactyl families (Antilocapridae, Bovidae, Cervidae, Giraffidae, and Tragulidae) and identify common ecological trends among these families using principal component analysis. Our results indicate that antilocaprid and some bovid calcanei show convergent evolution of cursorial morphology and that other bovids have independently evolved less cursorial morphology that is more similar to cervids. This study shows that parallel ecomorphological trends can be identified in multiple families of artiodactyls, as well as within artiodactyl groups. This further suggests that the calcaneus may be a good indicator of ecology and function in fossil groups that are taxonomically ambiguous or not closely related to living taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel H Dunn
- Department of Anatomy, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Des Moines University, Des Moines, Iowa, USA
| | - Jori E Avery
- Department of Biology, Grand View University, Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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9
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Fischer V, MacLaren JA, Soul LC, Bennion RF, Druckenmiller PS, Benson RBJ. The macroevolutionary landscape of short-necked plesiosaurians. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16434. [PMID: 33009498 PMCID: PMC7532190 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73413-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Throughout their evolution, tetrapods have repeatedly colonised a series of ecological niches in marine ecosystems, producing textbook examples of convergent evolution. However, this evolutionary phenomenon has typically been assessed qualitatively and in broad-brush frameworks that imply simplistic macroevolutionary landscapes. We establish a protocol to visualize the density of trait space occupancy and thoroughly test for the existence of macroevolutionary landscapes. We apply this protocol to a new phenotypic dataset describing the morphology of short-necked plesiosaurians, a major component of the Mesozoic marine food webs (ca. 201 to 66 Mya). Plesiosaurians evolved this body plan multiple times during their 135-million-year history, making them an ideal test case for the existence of macroevolutionary landscapes. We find ample evidence for a bimodal craniodental macroevolutionary landscape separating latirostrines from longirostrine taxa, providing the first phylogenetically-explicit quantitative assessment of trophic diversity in extinct marine reptiles. This bimodal pattern was established as early as the Middle Jurassic and was maintained in evolutionary patterns of short-necked plesiosaurians until a Late Cretaceous (Turonian) collapse to a unimodal landscape comprising longirostrine forms with novel morphologies. This study highlights the potential of severe environmental perturbations to profoundly alter the macroevolutionary dynamics of animals occupying the top of food chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Fischer
- Evolution & Diversity Dynamics Lab, Université de Liège, 14 Allée du 6 Août, 4000, Liège, Belgium.
| | - Jamie A MacLaren
- Evolution & Diversity Dynamics Lab, Université de Liège, 14 Allée du 6 Août, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Laura C Soul
- Department of Paleobiology, Smithsonian Institution, P.O. Box 37012, Washington, DC, 20013-7012, USA
| | - Rebecca F Bennion
- Evolution & Diversity Dynamics Lab, Université de Liège, 14 Allée du 6 Août, 4000, Liège, Belgium
- OD Earth and History of Life, Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique, 29 Rue Vautier, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Patrick S Druckenmiller
- University of Alaska Museum and Department of Geosciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1962 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - Roger B J Benson
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks road, Oxford, OX1 3AN, UK
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10
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Jing L, He P, Ding D, Qu C, Shao B, Ma J, Wang J. Osteomorphological features of the hind limb bones of Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica). Anat Histol Embryol 2020; 50:32-42. [PMID: 32713073 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The intralimb indices and calcaneal linear metrics are known as the reliable predictors of locomotor adaptation in artiodactyls. The osteological features of hindlimb in adult Saiga (Saiga tatarica) were described, and its correlation with cursoriality and habitat adaptation was discussed. Gross anatomy data showed Saiga owned the deep acetabulum as a broad lunate surface, the large acetabular anteversion, the well-developed ischiatic tuberosity and the prominent gluteal lines. It also presented the robust rough line and the strong gluteal tuberosity. A proximodistally elongated eminence located on the cranially distal tibia, which had not been found in goat. The tibial extensor groove was deep. The calcaneal tuberosity was robust. Digital anatomy data showed Saiga owned the higher metatarsal-femur ratio than forest musk deer and sheep. Comparing with wild bovids and sheep, Saiga presented a transitional variation in calcaneal form. The mean greatest length of the calcaneus (GLC) and the height of the sustentacular facet (HSF) in Saiga were shorter than that in sheep and longer than that in wild bovids respectively (F = 587.492; F = 10.264, p < .05). The wild bovids had longer cubonavicular facets than the other two groups (F = 18.587, p < .05). The great metatarsal-femur ratio of Saiga implied a superior cursorial ability and high conservation confronting the different habitats. The calcaneal linear metrics might shed light on lifestyle-related functional adaptation over decades of short-term evolution in the semi-free range environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libaihe Jing
- Department of Zoology and Biomedical Science, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Peng He
- Department of Zoology and Biomedical Science, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Dongfang Ding
- Department of Zoology and Biomedical Science, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Can Qu
- Department of Zoology and Biomedical Science, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Baoping Shao
- Department of Zoology and Biomedical Science, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jizhong Ma
- Gansu Protection Center of Endangered Animals, Wuwei, China
| | - Jianlin Wang
- Department of Zoology and Biomedical Science, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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