Skip NavigationSkip to Content
Return Return to Search Results

Mesozoic origin for West Indian insectivores

  1. Author:
    Roca, A. L.
    Bar-Gal, G. K.
    Eizirik, E.
    Helgen, K. M.
    Maria, R.
    Springer, M. S.
    O'Brien, S. J.
    Murphy, W. J.

  2. Author Address

    Roca, AL, SAIC Frederick, Lab Genom Divers, Basic Res Program, Frederick, MD 21702 USA SAIC Frederick, Lab Genom Divers, Basic Res Program, Frederick, MD 21702 USA. NCI, Lab Genom Divers, Frederick, MD 21702 USA. PUCRS, Ctr Biol Genom & Mol, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Univ Adelaide, Sch Earth & Environm Sci, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia. ZOODOM, Parque Zool Nacl, Santo Domingo, Dominican Rep. Univ Calif Riverside, Dept Biol, Riverside, CA 92521 USA.
    1. Year: 2004
  2. Journal: Nature
    1. 429
    2. 6992
    3. Pages: 649-651
  4. Type of Article: Article
  1. Abstract:

    The highly endangered solenodons, endemic to Cuba ( Solenodon cubanus) and Hispaniola ( S. paradoxus), comprise the only two surviving species of West Indian insectivores(1,2). Combined gene sequences (13.9 kilobases) from S. paradoxus established that solenodons diverged from other eulipotyphlan insectivores 76 million years ago in the Cretaceous period, which is consistent with vicariance, though also compatible with dispersal. A sequence of 1.6 kilobases of mitochondrial DNA from S. cubanus indicated a deep divergence of 25 million years versus the congeneric S. paradoxus, which is consistent with vicariant origins as tectonic forces separated Cuba and Hispaniola(3,4). Efforts to prevent extinction of the two surviving solenodon species would conserve an entire lineage as old or older than many mammalian orders

    See More

  1. Keywords:

External Sources

  1. No sources found.

Library Notes

  1. No notes added.
NCI at Frederick

You are leaving a government website.

This external link provides additional information that is consistent with the intended purpose of this site. The government cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal site.

Linking to a non-federal site does not constitute an endorsement by this institution or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the site. You will be subject to the destination site's privacy policy when you follow the link.

ContinueCancel