Morphometric Differences Between the Phylogeographic Lineages of the Common Hamster Cricetus Cricetus in Poland

Abstract

Morphometric Differences Between the Phylogeographic Lineages of the Common Hamster Cricetus Cricetus in Poland As the common hamster is endangered in the European part of its range, it is necessary to define the conservation units for successful management of natural populations. Here we describe the case of clear morphometric differentiation between phylogeographic lineages of the common hamster. The standard external measurements were taken from 209 common hamsters collected during the period 2005-2007 from the present species range in Poland. The studied populations belong to different phylogeographic lineages P3 (Polish Pannonia) and E1, and the hamsters of P3 lineage are smaller with longer feet and tails than the hamsters of E1 lineage. The phylogeographic lineages of the common hamster can be defined as evolutionary significant units (ESU) due to the significant genetic differentiation and as management units (MU) with the evidence for ecological differentiation.