Abstract
Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in nine species of small mammals (Insectivora and Rodentia) was estimated using 10 cranial features (foramina for nerves and blood vessels). The main criterion was the occurrence of the fluctuating asymmetry manifestations (OFAM). A total of 2300 skulls collected in the taiga and forest-tundra of Yakutia (Northeast Asia) were examined. The examined species are characterized by comparable OFAM values in the vast territories of the taiga zone; on the ecological periphery of the range an increased FA level is registered. Asymmetric manifestations in analyzed features are equally likely to occur in males and females. OFAM values in juveniles are higher than in adults; this difference is more pronounced on the periphery of the geographic range. Among juveniles, lower FA levels are observed in individuals that have bred. It can be surmised that the risk of elimination of individuals with high FA levels increases in stressful periods (active reproduction and winter). In conditions that are close to optimal, populations demonstrate relatively homogeneous FA levels, while on the periphery of the area an increase in occurrence of disturbances in developmental stability is observed, which leads, on one hand, to higher average FA for the population and, on the other hand, to heterogeneity of the population in this parameter.
Highlights
Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is a widespread biological phenomena, referring to small nondirectional deviations from perfect bilateral symmetry [1]
We evaluated the FA level of taiga species of small mammals in nine sites in the territory of
1–4 are characterized by more favorable, and site 5Sites belongs are characterized by more favorable conditions, and site belongs to the north taiga to the north taiga and is characterized by somewhat harsher ecological conditions for small and is characterized by somewhat harsher ecological fornorthern small mammals
Summary
Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is a widespread biological phenomena, referring to small nondirectional deviations from perfect bilateral symmetry [1]. Destabilization of individual development is a highly sensitive indicator, allowing one to detect small ontogenetic variations resulting from changes in the environment [4,6,7]. Thanks to this quality, FA is widely used for assessment of the state of populations because it reflects a population’s average state of adaptation and co-adaptation [8]. FA is widely used for assessment of the state of populations because it reflects a population’s average state of adaptation and co-adaptation [8] It is this quality of FA that often makes it difficult to interpret, since its level reflects the combined negative impacts on the organism but says nothing about specific factors causing it. The data on inbreeding influence on developmental stability are inconsistent [13,14,15]
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