云南不同地区中缅树鼩头骨形态特征的比较

Pilot study of Tupaia belangeri from Yunnan Province based on morphometrics of the skulls and mandibles

中缅树鼩为东洋界热带亚热带特有类群。本研究采用几何形态测量法对分布于滇中高原(禄劝县)和横断山地区(剑川县、丽江市和云龙县)的中缅树鼩头骨侧面、腹面、背面及下颌侧面的形态进行了初步研究。结果表明,主成分分析和判别函数分析显示头骨侧面和下颌侧面更适宜于区分滇中高原和横断山地区的中缅树鼩;经过薄片样条法分析显示形变多集中在鼻骨和臼齿,这可能与中缅树鼩生存的气候和地理环境相适应;经多维尺度分析显示滇中高原和横断山地区的中缅树鼩头骨有明显差异,这可能与中缅树鼩生活环境的经度和纬度有关。因此,滇中高原和横断山地区的中缅树鼩从头骨形态上可以区分开来,并且差异仅仅发生在种群水平,这可能反映了其对特定生态环境的形态适应。

The tree shrews （ Tupaia belangeri） are an endemic group in the Indomalayan Region （Torrid Zone or subtropical zone）. The morphological characteristics of the skulls and mandibles of T. belangeri in four local ranges （Luquan, Jianchuan, Lijiang and Yunlong） in Yunnan Province were compared using geometric morphometric techniques, principal components analysis, discriminant analysis, thin plate spline and multidimensional scaling analysis. Using principal components analysis and discriminant analysis, it was shown that the morphological characteristics of the lateral cranium and the lateral mandible were more efficient for differentiating animals from Dianzhong Ahiplano and Hengduan Mountains region. Using thin plate spline analysis, significant morphological differentiations were shown for both nose bone and molars, which may reflect adaptations to climate and environment. Using multidimensional scaling analysis, it was shown that the morphological characteristics of skulls allowed differentiations between animals from Dianzhong Ahiplano and Hengduan Mountains region, that may be related to longitude or latitude of their habitations. In conclusion, the morphological characteristics of the skulls and mandibles of T. belangeri in Dianzhong Ahiplano and Hengduan Mountains region can be distinguished at the level of population; this may correlate to the ecological adaptation.