@article{fdi:010054299,
  title = {{E}volutionary systematics and biogeography of endemic gerbils ({R}odentia, {M}uridae) from {M}orocco : an integrative approach},
  author = {{N}diaye, {A}. and {B}a, {K}. and {A}niskin, {V}. and {B}enazzou, {T}. and {C}hevret, {P}. and {K}onecny, {A}. and {S}embene, {M}. and {T}atard, {C}. and {K}ergoat, {G}.{J}. and {G}ranjon, {L}aurent},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{N}diaye, {A}., {B}a, {K}., {A}niskin, {V}., {B}enazzou, {T}., {C}hevret, {P}., {K}onecny, {A}., {S}embene, {M}., {T}atard, {C}., {K}ergoat, {G}.{J}. & {G}ranjon, {L}. (2011). {E}volutionary systematics and biogeography of endemic gerbils ({R}odentia, {M}uridae) from {M}orocco: an integrative approach. {Z}oologica {S}cripta, 41, 1128. {G}erbils of the genus {G}erbillus represent an important part of small mammal diversity in arid regions of {N}orth {A}frica, but their taxonomy and evolutionary systematics and biogeography are still poorly known. {B}ased on the recent collection of a series of gerbils in southern {M}orocco, including at the type localities of three endemic species, we gathered morphological, chromosomal and molecular data on a number of specimens that we compared with other available results. {T}hese data provide new insights into the geographical distribution of the endemic species known to date and suggest that an additional and previously undetected species may exist within this area. {M}ultivariate analyses of morphometrical skull data validated the criteria used in the description of some of these species, while confirming the morphological similarity of a set of medium to large-sized species with hairy feet that can be considered sibling species. {K}aryotypes were useful for the specific assignation of a number of specimens. {M}olecular phylogenetics and divergence time estimates allow us to draw the first picture of the evolutionary relationships between endemic {G}erbillus species from {M}orocco and related species of {N}orth {A}frica, and to estimate their respective timing of diversification. {M}ost of the lineage emergence events took place during the {P}leistocene, a period characterised by a global aridification of {N}orth {A}frica, but more importantly by important climatic and eustatic variations that may have played a role in species differentiation and subsequent expansion. {T}his integrative approach proved to be essential in such species group including morphologically similar species. {I}t also enables to propose testable hypotheses as to possible scenarios of emergence and evolution of these species along the western margin of the {S}ahara desert.},
  keywords = {{MAROC}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{Z}oologica {S}cripta},
  volume = {41},
  numero = {1},
  pages = {11--28},
  ISSN = {0300-3256},
  year = {2012},
  DOI = {10.1111/j.1463-6409.2011.00501.x},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010054299},
}