The murid rodent Praomys daltoni is widespread in Sudanian savanna and woodlands of West Africa, and previous study of mitochondrial DNA variability suggested that it encompasses the phenotypically (small, grey-bellied) and ecologically (commensal) distinct form, Praomys derooi. Here, we comprehensively examined the genetic and morphological diversity within the complex. Six mitochondrial lineages showed a fine-scale phylogeographical pattern, whereas delimitation based on nuclear loci pooled four of them into a single widespread unit. A newly discovered lineage from southern Mauritania stands apart from the rest of the complex and might represent an unrecognized species. At the same time, the internal position of P. derooi (C2 mitochondrial lineage) was confirmed by the multilocus analysis. The magnitude of genetic distances between major phylogeographical lineages was typical for interspecific divergence in other clades of Praomys, despite the little differences among them in morphology (skull and upper molar row shapes). The most pronounced morphological shift was associated with a transition to commensalism, especially in P. derooi, but also in other lineages. This makes the whole complex a suitable model for the study of phenotypic novelty, the evolution of commensalism and conditions for ecological speciation.

中文翻译：

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共生主义在其对苏丹大草原啮齿动物表型的影响上胜过系统结构。

啮齿动物啮齿动物Praltons daltoni广泛分布于西非的苏丹大草原和森林地带，先前对线粒体DNA变异性的研究表明，它涵盖了表型（小，灰腹）和生态（共生）不同的形态，Praomys derooi。在这里，我们全面检查了复合体内的遗传和形态多样性。六个线粒体谱系显示出精细的系统地理学模式，而基于核基因座的划界将它们中的四个合并为一个广泛的单位。来自毛里塔尼亚南部的一个新发现的血统与该建筑群的其余部分相距甚远，可能代表着未被识别的物种。同时，P。derooi的内部位置通过多基因座分析证实了（C2线粒体谱系）。主要植物谱系之间的遗传距离大小是Praomys其他进化枝中种间差异的典型特征，尽管它们之间的形态差异很小（头骨和上臼齿行形状）。最明显的形态学转变与向共荣主义的转变有关，尤其是在德氏假单胞菌中，但在其他世系中也是如此。这使得整个复合体成为研究表型新颖性，共生主义演变和生态物种形成条件的合适模型。