Multivariate analysis of morphometric variation in Asian Mus and sub-saharan nannomys (Rodentia : Muridae)

Multivariate morphometric analysis of 31 cranial and dental characters was applied to a sample of 141 adult specimens of mice from southern and south- eastern Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. The material under study represented five species of two subgenera, viz., Asian Mus (M. terricolor [= M. dunni]. M, caroli, M. cervicolor) and African Nannomys (M. minutoides, M. setulosu s). The results were largely congruent with molecular data based on various markers. The two subgenera were found to be morphologically clearly differ entiated from each other, as were also Mus (Nannomys) minutoides and M. (N. ) setulosus. Within the subgenus Mus, the morphometric distance of M. terri color. a member of the so-called "Leggada" group, from other species was al so high. On the contrary, M. cervicolor and M. caroli appeared to be simila r to each other morphologically. In M. cervicolor, no substantial morphomet ric differences were found between two subspecies. M. c. cervicolor and M. c. popaeus. The patterns of morphological differentiation between respectiv e samples did not fully reflect geographical distribution in M. (N.) minuto ides and M. (N.) setulosus.