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Segura V, Rasia LL, Candela AM, Flores DA. Postnatal Skull Development Reveals a Conservative Pattern in Living and Fossil Vizcachas Genus Lagostomus (Rodentia, Chinchillidae). J Morphol 2024; 285:e21775. [PMID: 39256990 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21775] [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: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 08/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
The plains vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus, is the only living species in the genus, being notably larger than fossil congeneric species, such as Lagostomus incisus, from the Pliocene of Argentina and Uruguay. Here, we compare the skull growth allometric pattern and sexual dimorphism of L. maximus and L. incisus, relating shape and size changes with skull function. We also test whether the ontogenetic trajectories and allometric trends between both sexes of L. maximus follow the same pattern. A common allometric pattern between both species was the elongation of the skull, a product of the lengthening of rostrum, and chondrogenesis on the spheno-occipitalis synchondrosis and coronalis suture. We also detected a low proportion of skull suture fusion. In some variables, older male specimens did not represent a simple linear extension of female trajectory, and all dimorphic traits were related to the development of the masticatory muscles. Sexual dimorphism previously attributed to L. incisus would indicate that this phenomenon was present in the genus since the early Pliocene and suggests social behaviors such as polygyny and male-male competition. Ontogenetic changes in L. incisus were similar to L. maximus, showing a conservative condition of the genus. Only two changes were different in the ontogeny of both species, which appeared earlier in L. incisus compared to L. maximus: the development of the frontal process of the nasals in a square shape, and the straight shape of the occipital bone in lateral view. Juveniles of L. maximus were close to adult L. incisus in the morphospace, suggesting a peramorphic process. The sequence of suture and synchondroses fusion showed minor differences in temporozygomatica and frontonasalis sutures, indicating major mechanical stress in L. maximus related to size. We suggest a generalized growth path in Chinchillidae, but further analyses are necessary at an evolutionary level, including Lagidium and Chinchilla.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Segura
- Unidad Ejecutora Lillo (CONICET-Fundación Miguel Lillo), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Luciano L Rasia
- CONICET, División Paleontología Vertebrados, Museo de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Adriana M Candela
- CONICET, División Paleontología Vertebrados, Museo de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - David A Flores
- Unidad Ejecutora Lillo (CONICET-Fundación Miguel Lillo), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
- Instituto de Vertebrados, Fundación Miguel Lillo, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
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Wang Z, Martin A, Brunton D, Grueter CC, Qu J, He JS, Ji W, Nan Z. The effects of grassland degradation on the genetic structure of a small mammal. Integr Zool 2024. [PMID: 38704846 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12836] [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] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Grassland degradation is challenging the health of grassland ecosystems globally and causing biodiversity decline. Previous studies have demonstrated the impact of grassland degradation on the abundance and behavior of small mammals. Little is known about how it affects the genetic structure of gregarious mammals in the wild. This study explores the effects of grassland degradation on the genetic structure of a small burrowing mammal, plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae). We used nine microsatellite loci to analyze the genetic diversity and genetic differentiation between colonies and genetic relatedness between individuals within the colony. We found that pikas in severely degraded grasslands had a significantly higher genetic diversity within colonies, a higher level of gene flow between colonies, and a lower genetic differentiation between colonies compared to pikas in less degraded grasslands. Individuals within colonies had a significantly lower genetic relatedness in severely degraded grasslands than in less degraded grasslands. This study has provided potential evidence of a significant impact of grassland degradation on the genetic structure of pikas, which has caused a breakdown of their kin-selected colony structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaiwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Amy Martin
- Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Dianne Brunton
- School of Natural Sciences (SNS), Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Cyril C Grueter
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- International Centre of Biodiversity and Primate Conservation, Dali University, Dali, China
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jiapeng Qu
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China
- Qinghai Province Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Xining, China
| | - Jin-Sheng He
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Weihong Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- School of Natural Sciences (SNS), Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Zhibiao Nan
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Kao AB, Hund AK, Santos FP, Young JG, Bhat D, Garland J, Oomen RA, McCreery HF. Opposing Responses to Scarcity Emerge from Functionally Unique Sociality Drivers. Am Nat 2023; 202:302-321. [PMID: 37606948 DOI: 10.1086/725426] [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] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
AbstractFrom biofilms to whale pods, organisms across taxa live in groups, thereby accruing numerous diverse benefits of sociality. All social organisms, however, pay the inherent cost of increased resource competition. One expects that when resources become scarce, this cost will increase, causing group sizes to decrease. Indeed, this occurs in some species, but there are also species for which group sizes remain stable or even increase under scarcity. What accounts for these opposing responses? We present a conceptual framework, literature review, and theoretical model demonstrating that differing responses to sudden resource shifts can be explained by which sociality benefit exerts the strongest selection pressure on a particular species. We categorize resource-related benefits of sociality into six functionally distinct classes and model their effect on the survival of individuals foraging in groups under different resource conditions. We find that whether, and to what degree, the optimal group size (or correlates thereof) increases, decreases, or remains constant when resource abundance declines depends strongly on the dominant sociality mechanism. Existing data, although limited, support our model predictions. Overall, we show that across a wide diversity of taxa, differences in how group size shifts in response to resource declines can be driven by differences in the primary benefits of sociality.
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Bernátková A, Oyunsaikhan G, Šimek J, Komárková M, Bobek M, Ceacero F. Influence of weather on the behaviour of reintroduced Przewalski’s horses in the Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area (Mongolia): implications for conservation. BMC ZOOL 2022; 7:32. [PMID: 37170378 PMCID: PMC10127430 DOI: 10.1186/s40850-022-00130-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Reintroduction is a common technique for re-establishing threatened species. However, the adaptation to novel habitats with distinct conditions poses a risk of failure. Weather conditions affect the behaviour of animals, and thus, their adaptation to new conditions and survival. Reintroduced Przewalski’s horses living in Mongolia’s continental arid climate with extreme temperature and precipitation variability, serve as an ideal model species for studying the behavioural response of selected groups to these harsh conditions.
Methods
The research was conducted in The Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area, Mongolia. In summer 2018, three groups were recorded (Azaa, Tsetsen and Mares18) involving 29 individuals. In Spring 2019, 4 groups were recorded (Azaa, Tsetsen, Hustai1 and Mares19) involving 34 individuals. In Autumn 2019, 4 groups were recorded (Azaa, Tsetsen, Hustai2 and Tanan) involving 35 individuals. Thirteen weather variables were recorded in 10-min intervals, together with the percentage representation of selected behavioural categories (feeding, locomotion, resting, and social). The effect of weather on behaviour was analysed through GLMM. Influence of the group-history factors (recently reintroduced, long-term reintroduced and wild-born) was also analysed.
Results
Feeding significantly increased with cloudy and windy conditions and was more frequent in autumn than spring and summer. Locomotion was positively explained by temperature and cloudiness and was higher in summer than spring and autumn. Resting behaviour decreased with altitude and cloudiness, and the dispersion of the group was lower when resting. Increased social interactions were observed with higher temperatures and were more frequent in summer compared to spring and autumn. Differences were found in the display of the behaviours among the selected harems, showing interesting patterns when grouping them according to their origin and experience.
Conclusions
Weather patterns seem to influence the behaviour of Przewalski’s horse. These results might assist in further management plans for the species, especially in the view of intensifying climate change and alteration of weather patterns. As previously suggested, after approximately 1 year, horses adapt to novel conditions and display the typical behavioural pattern of wild-born Przewalski’s horses.
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Determinants of social structure in a northern population of black-tailed prairie dogs, Cynomys ludovicianus. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Cantano LMR, Luchesi LC, Takata JT, Monticelli PF. Behavioral repertoire of the Brazilian spiny-rats, Trinomys setosus and Clyomys laticeps: different levels of sociality. BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 83:e241164. [PMID: 34231655 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.241164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavior is a useful trait for comparative studies that provide the comprehension of phylogenetic relationships among species. Here, we present a description of two spiny-rats species' behavioral repertoire, Clyomys laticeps and Trinomys setosus (Rodentia: Echimyidae). The affiliative and agonistic behavioral patterns were sampled during a three-year study of captive populations of wild animals. Observational data were collected in two phases under different arrangements of individuals in groups. We also compare the behavioral traits of T. setosus and C. laticeps with the known behavioral patterns of Trinomys yonenagae. We add categories to the previous descriptions of T. setosus and a standard ethogram for C. laticeps. Trinomys setosus showed a visual and vocal display we called foot-trembling, which was not described in this form and function for other species studied until now. We discuss the differences in their sociality levels and similarities and differences among behavior patterns and repertoires.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M R Cantano
- Universidade de São Paulo - USP, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto - FFCLRP, Departamento de Psicologia, Laboratório de Etologia e Bioacústica - EBAC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicobiologia em Psicobiologia, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - L C Luchesi
- Universidade de São Paulo - USP, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto - FFCLRP, Departamento de Psicologia, Laboratório de Etologia e Bioacústica - EBAC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicobiologia em Psicobiologia, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - J T Takata
- Universidade de São Paulo - USP, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto - FFCLRP, Departamento de Psicologia, Laboratório de Etologia e Bioacústica - EBAC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicobiologia em Psicobiologia, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - P F Monticelli
- Universidade de São Paulo - USP, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto - FFCLRP, Departamento de Psicologia, Laboratório de Etologia e Bioacústica - EBAC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicobiologia em Psicobiologia, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
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7
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Sassi PL, Taraborelli P, Albanese S, Gutierrez A. Effect of Temperature on Activity Patterns in a Small Andean Rodent: Behavioral Plasticity and Intraspecific Variation. Ethology 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paola L. Sassi
- Grupo de Investigaciones de la Biodiversidad; CONICET; Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; CCT; Mendoza Argentina
| | - Paula Taraborelli
- Grupo de Investigaciones de la Biodiversidad; CONICET; Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; CCT; Mendoza Argentina
| | - Soledad Albanese
- Grupo de Investigaciones de la Biodiversidad; CONICET; Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; CCT; Mendoza Argentina
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Ecological drivers of group living in two populations of the communally rearing rodent, Octodon degus. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2011; 66:261-274. [PMID: 22344477 DOI: 10.1007/s00265-011-1274-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Intraspecific variation in sociality is thought to reflect a trade-off between current fitness benefits and costs that emerge from individuals' decision to join or leave groups. Since those benefits and costs may be influenced by ecological conditions, ecological variation remains a major, ultimate cause of intraspecific variation in sociality. Intraspecific comparisons of mammalian sociality across populations facing different environmental conditions have not provided a consistent relationship between ecological variation and group-living. Thus, we studied two populations of the communally rearing rodent Octodon degus to determine how co-variation between sociality and ecology supports alternative ecological causes of group living. In particular, we examined how variables linked to predation risk, thermal conditions, burrowing costs, and food availability predicted temporal and population variation in sociality. Our study revealed population and temporal variation in total group size and group composition that covaried with population and yearly differences in ecology. In particular, predation risk and burrowing costs are supported as drivers of this social variation in degus. Thermal differences, food quantity and quality were not significant predictors of social group size. In contrast to between populations, social variation within populations was largely uncoupled from ecological differences.
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9
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Andino N, Reus L, Cappa FM, Campos VE, Giannoni SM. Social Environment and Agonistic Interactions: Strategies in a Small Social Mammal. Ethology 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2011.01956.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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10
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Sassi PL, Chiappero MB, Borghi C, Gardenal CN. High genetic differentiation among populations of the small cavy Microcavia australis occupying different habitats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 315:337-48. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2010] [Revised: 01/11/2011] [Accepted: 02/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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11
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Maher CR, Burger JR. Intraspecific variation in space use, group size, and mating systems of caviomorph rodents. J Mammal 2011; 92:54-64. [PMID: 22328790 DOI: 10.1644/09-mamm-s-317.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Intraspecific variation in social systems is widely recognized across many taxa, and specific models, including polygamy potential, resource defense, and resource dispersion, have been developed to explain the relationship between ecological variation and social organization. Although mammals from temperate North America and Eurasia have provided many insights into this relationship, rodents from the Neotropics and temperate South America have largely been ignored. In this review we focus on reports documenting intraspecific variation in spacing systems, group size, and mating systems of caviomorphs. This large group of New World hystricognath rodents occupies a diverse array of habitats; thus, members of the same species potentially exhibit different social systems in response to different ecological conditions. Spatial patterns vary in response to a diverse array of factors, including predation, food availability, population density, and soil characteristics. Changes in group size typically correlate with changes in resource availability, particularly food. Mating systems generally reflect the ability of males to control access to females, which may depend on population density or food distribution. In general, social organization in caviomorphs fits predictions of resource-based models; however, most studies have been purely observational, involving small numbers of animals over short time periods and reporting qualitative rather than quantitative levels of ecological correlates. In future studies the use of molecular techniques and controlled, experimental manipulations can increase our understanding of intraspecific variation in caviomorph social systems. This understudied group of rodents offers excellent opportunities to provide insights into the influence of ecological conditions on behavior such as social systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine R Maher
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME 04103, USA
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13
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Hayes LD, Burger JR, Soto-Gamboa M, Sobrero R, Ebensperger LA. Towards an integrative model of sociality in caviomorph rodents. J Mammal 2011; 92:65-77. [PMID: 22328791 PMCID: PMC3277430 DOI: 10.1644/10-mamm-s-039.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In the late 1990s and early 2000s it was recognized that behavioral ecologists needed to study the sociality of caviomorph rodents (New World hystricognaths) before generalizations about rodent sociality could be made. Researchers identified specific problems facing individuals interested in caviomorph sociality, including a lack of information on the proximate mechanisms of sociality, role of social environment in development, and geographical or intraspecific variation in social systems. Since then researchers have described the social systems of many previously understudied species, including some with broad geographical ranges. Researchers have done a good job of determining the role of social environments in development and identifying the costs and benefits of social living. However, relatively little is known about the proximate mechanisms of social behavior and fitness consequences, limiting progress toward the development of integrative (evolutionary-mechanistic) models for sociality. To develop integrative models behavioral ecologists studying caviomorph rodents must generate information on the fitness consequences of different types of social organization, brain mechanisms, and endocrine substrates of sociality. We review our current understanding and future directions for research in these conceptual areas. A greater understanding of disease ecology, particularly in species carrying Old World parasites, is needed before we can identify potential links between social phenotypes, mechanism, and fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loren D. Hayes
- Department of Biology, 700 University Avenue, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA 72109, USA
| | - Joseph Robert Burger
- Department of Biology, 700 University Avenue, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA 72109, USA
- Department of Biology, MSC03 2020/1, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Mauricio Soto-Gamboa
- Instituto de Ecología y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Isla teja S/N, Casilla 567, Chile
| | - Raúl Sobrero
- Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Ecología y Biodiversidad and Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis A Ebensperger
- Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Ecología y Biodiversidad and Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile
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Taraborelli P, Moreno P, Srur A, Carballido C, Giannoni SM. Influence of predation risk and plant structure on vigilance and intermittent locomotion in Microcavia australis (Rodentia, Caviidae). Acta Ethol 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s10211-010-0087-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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15
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Velez S, Sassi PL, Borghi CE, Monclus MA, Fornés MW. Effect of climatic variables on seasonal morphological changes in the testis and epididymis in the wild rodent Microcavia australis from the andes mountains, Argentina. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 313:474-83. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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