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Issues with suffering Rodent on St. Kitts (News article)

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Issues with suffering Rodent on St. Kitts (News article)

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Scientist from Florida have been struggling to revive the dwindling population of isolated Rodent on the island of St. Kitts.

The Rodent is believed to be in the Squirrel family but looks closer to a Chinchilla.

In an effort to revive the populations on St. Kitts, the group of scientists have taken a population of the rodents from the neighbouring island Nevis in order to boost the population on the mainland to encourage breeding.

It sounds like a great plan in theory but there has been a slight miss calculation in their efforts. The rodents don’t seem to be breeding with one another.

Upon investigation, it appears that even though they look remarkably similar, they are in fact different species.

Upon fist glance you can see there is a mechanical issue when it comes to breeding in terms of the size of their legs making it difficult for the males and females to copulate. There is also a couple of prezygotic isolation issues - one being behaviour and one being habitat. The St. Kitts set of rodents seem to do most of their breeding interactions at dusk where as the Nevis’ breeding interactions occur early in the morning. On top of this, the St. Kitts rodents are terrestrial and the Nevis rodents are arboreal creating yet another issue which the scientists call temporal.

With all of these details beginning to surface it has made the ground team much more aware of what you see and study at first glance isn’t always what you expect long term.

So, how do you think we can solve the issue? Is it a matter of letting the St. Kitts species go extinct? Or should they go on another more detailed search of a more comparable rodent? What will be the impact of putting the Nevis species on St. Kitts?

Follow this story line to continue reading about the scientists journey.

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A Letter of Great Importance addressed to Dr Bubb

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A Letter of Great Importance addressed to Dr Bubb

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Dear Dr Bubb,

It has been a while since we have discussed our scientific expeditions but I have come across something that I think you will find rather intriguing. I have recently been working on St. Kitts Island and Nevis Island to try and save a local species Sciurus roccalias. The population on St. Kitts is far smaller and so I attempted to breed the two populations to improve the genetic diversity and numbers of the smaller population, but alas to no avail! I have not once observed the two groups mate. I got some of my crew to investigate the two groups and I have discovered something most peculiar! On St. Kitts island, the rodents have far longer hind legs- 7.8cm compared to the 4.2 of the Nevis population. This is carried through to their jump height which averages to 1.4m compared to the Nevis 0.4. Looking at the environments of the two islands, I have found St. Kitts island to be far more developed, meaning ledges, stairways and other terrain less gradual than the natural island. I believe I may be the new Darwin and these are my finches.

My current hypothesis is that after the islands separated, the development began. Some of the St Kitts species must have randomly gotten a mutation for longer hind legs which benefitted them in this new environment, allowing them to remain far from predators and natural selection thus benefited this trait. Due to the habitat isolation, these new alleles were unable to be passed to the species on Nevis Island and voila! They are now too different to breed. Perhaps the difference in hind leg length inhibits intercourse.

I have taken to calling the St. Kitts group Sciurus bubbalias after you my dearest friend. You simply must come and see the species to help me decide if this truly is my breakthrough.

Your dearest friend,

Dr Jonah

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newly discovered Sciurus pierna larga in threat 

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newly discovered Sciurus pierna larga in threat 

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Fri PM D19

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Day 2
Upon my arrival on the shaven dry shores of St Kitts island, on thing that stuck out were burrows strewn across the bay, some of them hidden with rodents. Hoppers I called them, observed with long lean legs, able to nimbly escape predators or myself even by their name. They would make a new burrow everyday, perhaps to catch small beach bugs they feast on.
Day 13
Unlike their Nevis island counterparts, they're timid little creatures.
On lush Nevis island, a similar rodent, has strong stout legs to help climb and anchor themselves to fruit trees found abundantly on the island, plump from the peaches and figs. Hardly any competition for food, mind me. Throughout the island they are seen scrurrying slower on all fours to their havens in the canopy. I'll name them seedrats, living amongst the seeds that I tread, scattered across the floor.
Day 37
In my attempts to revive the hoppers population, with some of the seedrats, I found seedrats weren't able to keep up with hoppers to live enough to mate, often dying from lack of food or are too slow to escape the wild cats that strayed from the small town nearby that I brought along from Nerivs island. My decision in doing so was from my fruitless endeavor to capture enough hoppers.
I found myself freeing some of them from the burrows left behind by the hoppers out of pity that they were too fat to leave from.
Day 89
I kept some of the rodents by my side, I managed to capture some of the few remaining hoppers and kept them in a place of their own under my close eye.
Day 150
My investigations proved to be incompatiable, I haven't been able to observe a successful reproductive event. They had different gestation periods, unable to breed.
Disheartened in my bid to help the hoppers, I lured the remaining seedrats with fruit from the other island and sent them home. As a last memento, I grabbed some of the seeds and filled it in the burrows of where I took my first steps.

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I arrived on St Kitts island, a year ago today. Have I made some discoveries about these two new species of Chinchilla? Most certainly I would say. The most interesting of which would definitely be how there came to become 2 distinct subspecies.

You wouldn’t believe me but locals on Nevis used to throw these rodents for sport over the gap between the islands,  believing they were common rats. Moreover, once there were enough on the southern part of the isle, their numbers exploded. An old fisherman recalled to me that he never fed had to feed his cats when he was younger as they fed on the rodents. This St Kitts population of rodents it would seem, underwent a natural selection process and after a few generations, resulted in sympatric speciation.

From the capture and release programs, I can tell you that the natural selection required this new subspecies to have longer hind limbs, (4.2cm on Nevis Subspecies and 7.8cm on St Kitts), thus resulting in a top speed that is doubled on average within the new species. With this in mind I named this new species the sprinter chinchilla (Chinchilla sprintus).

As you would expect this results in rezygotic reproductive isolation which hindered the success of the repopulation program on St Kitts Island, yet a colleague has recently been doing woodworking and suggested using a ramp. If all else fails we might have to give that a go.

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Romeo and Squirrelette                                                After unsuccessful attempts to try and get the population of the neville rodents to interbreed with the alpha rodent (Alphae Sciurus) population on the island of st kitts. Scientists soon discovered that the population of rodents was two distinct populations. The scientists were then able to determine the difference between these two species of rodents by the differences shown in the data that was collected. The data taken over the 240 attempts showed numerous differences in the abilities, appearances and behaviors of the two rodent species.The exact timeline for the diversification of the two rodent species remains unknown, however, due to genetic analysis scientists have determined that the two species once belonged to one ancestral rodent species, only separating from one another as two groups became separated on different islands. Genetic separation and differences in habitat/ natural selective pressures evolved over time into two separate populations with prevailing phenotypic differences. Most notably, the Alphae Sciurus evolved an average hind limb length of 7.8cm, an average leap height of 1.4m and a top speed of 2.2 meters/second (m/s). Comparatively, the Nevis rodent has an average hind limb of 4.2cm, an average leap height of 0.4m, and a top speed of 0.8m/s. This collection of phenotypic, mechanical and behavioral differences (respectively) between species arose due to differences in habitat. Whilst the southernmost island is characterized particularly by small, shrub-like vegetation, the northern island is more diverse, with rodents here typically inhabiting rocky outcrops. Therefore, it was an ecological advantage to have the ability to jump higher as rodents on the northern island traveled around these outcrops, having too both speed and larger limbs to generate that jump height. Comparatively, Alphae Sciurus which inhabited shrubbery ecosystems had no need or evolutionary pathway to evolve these same characteristics. Thus, divergent evolution occurred. The two populations experience post-zygotic barriers to reproduction, such as habitat, behavioral and mechanical isolation, thus preventing the gene flow between the two populations, leading to speciation to occur. As the populations on the two islands have been separate from each other, allopatric speciation has occurred. Which is why when they are reunited to attempt to increase the St Kitts islands population, they can not interbreed.  http://www.globalislands.net/userfiles/nevis_2.pdf

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Romeo and Squirrelette                                                After unsuccessful attempts to try and get the population of the neville rodents to interbreed with the alpha rodent (Alphae Sciurus) population on the island of st kitts. Scientists soon discovered that the population of rodents was two distinct populations. The scientists were then able to determine the difference between these two species of rodents by the differences shown in the data that was collected. The data taken over the 240 attempts showed numerous differences in the abilities, appearances and behaviors of the two rodent species.The exact timeline for the diversification of the two rodent species remains unknown, however, due to genetic analysis scientists have determined that the two species once belonged to one ancestral rodent species, only separating from one another as two groups became separated on different islands. Genetic separation and differences in habitat/ natural selective pressures evolved over time into two separate populations with prevailing phenotypic differences. Most notably, the Alphae Sciurus evolved an average hind limb length of 7.8cm, an average leap height of 1.4m and a top speed of 2.2 meters/second (m/s). Comparatively, the Nevis rodent has an average hind limb of 4.2cm, an average leap height of 0.4m, and a top speed of 0.8m/s. This collection of phenotypic, mechanical and behavioral differences (respectively) between species arose due to differences in habitat. Whilst the southernmost island is characterized particularly by small, shrub-like vegetation, the northern island is more diverse, with rodents here typically inhabiting rocky outcrops. Therefore, it was an ecological advantage to have the ability to jump higher as rodents on the northern island traveled around these outcrops, having too both speed and larger limbs to generate that jump height. Comparatively, Alphae Sciurus which inhabited shrubbery ecosystems had no need or evolutionary pathway to evolve these same characteristics. Thus, divergent evolution occurred. The two populations experience post-zygotic barriers to reproduction, such as habitat, behavioral and mechanical isolation, thus preventing the gene flow between the two populations, leading to speciation to occur. As the populations on the two islands have been separate from each other, allopatric speciation has occurred. Which is why when they are reunited to attempt to increase the St Kitts islands population, they can not interbreed.  http://www.globalislands.net/userfiles/nevis_2.pdf

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Once upon a time, there existed an island and on that island lived a species of rodent known as Sciurus Islandis. This rodent lived in harmony with the dual habitat of the mountainous regions of Kitt and the flat plain regions of Nevis. However, over time the tectonic plates have shifted resulting in a separation of the single island into two smaller islands. This not only separated the island, but also the species on the island; resulting in allopatric separation of the Sciurus Islandis species.

The region was separated into two diverse islands; one dominated by mountainous regions and the other involving largely flat plains regions. This diverse environmental shift has meant that the Sciuris Islandis species has evolved into two separate species based on natural selection. The species isolated to what is now St Kitts island has been subject to pressures involved with a mountainous region. The individuals that were able to jump higher and run faster were more likely to survive; including running from predators and reaching food. The species isolated to what is now Nevis island has been subject to pressures associated with a large flat plains  environment. This has led to individuals who a longer yet flatter being more likely to survive and hide from predators, resulting in their genes more likely to be passed on.

Through allopatric isolation and differing selection pressures; the once singular species of Sciurus Islandis has diverged into two separate species; the Sciurus Kitts and the Sciurus Nevis. The restrictions on gene flow between the two now distinct species have resulted in the unavailability of the reproductive capacity between the two species. This means that future introductions and attempts to save either population using the other will be futile as both either species is now too distinct from the other.

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Speciation of Rodents Native to Carribean Islands of St.Kitts and Nevis; Sciurus. Humuspabulatus (Common Name: Caribbean Ground Rodent), Sciurus. proceritascandere (Common name: Caribbean Climbing rodent).

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Speciation of Rodents Native to Carribean Islands of St.Kitts and Nevis; Sciurus. Humuspabulatus (Common Name: Caribbean Ground Rodent), Sciurus. proceritascandere (Common name: Caribbean Climbing rodent).

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Generations before the new urbanisation and development of the island of st.kitts the original rodent groups of the population were transported to the island of st.kitts as a measure of pest control for crop production. This event caused the original population of rodents to diverge due to human interaction, thus it is likely through allopatric isolation that speciation has occurred and formed two individual species.

Through observation of behavioural and physiological characteristics of both species Sciurus. Humuspabulatus (Common Name: Caribbean Ground Rodent) and Sciurus. proceritascandere (Common name: Caribbean Climbing rodent) it can be inferred how these two similar rodents formed two separate species.

The island of St.Kitts contains larger vegetation such as taller tree species which is more suitable for tree dwelling species  as opposed to the lower vegetation of the island of Nevis which favours ground feeding. This can be observed in of  S. proceritascandere behavioural traits spending more time above the ground level. This is also observed in physiological data pertaining to the species, the size of both the hind limb (avg. 7.8cm) and forelimb (avg. 4.2cm) of S. proceritascandere used for higher leaping heights for climbing (Up to 1.4m). This contrasts the on average smaller limbs of S. Humuspabulatus (Hindlimg 4.2cm, Forelimb 3.9cm) which results in a lower leap height (Up to 0.4m). This behavioural adaption has resulted in physiological adaptation which has most likely lead to prezygotic isolation of the two species via behaviour.

Furthermore through observation it has been shown that each species has shown a distinct gestation and reproductive period that temporally isolate the two species. S. Humuspabulatus has a much longer gestation period (Avg. 42.7 days) thus it can be inferred that this species breeds in separate intervals to one another; S.Proceritascandere (Avg. 29.3 days) gestation. These temporal isolations indicating how the species would have separated.

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Trouble in Rat-adise

The following case study is in reference two separate populations of rodent residing on the islands of St Kitts and the much smaller Nevis. The larger rodent residing on the island of St Kitts has been identified as Hydrochoerus magna-rat meaning its related to the Humble Capybara or Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (this is a hill I’m willing to die on, I don't like squirrels ) Whilst the rodent on the island of Nevis is also apart of the Hydrochoerus family, the species has been identified as Hydrochoerus  luminaire-rat. Due to dwindling population in the Hydrochoerus magna-rat population attempts to increase reproduction via the introduction of Hydrochoerus  luminaire-rat have seemly failed as not one case of reproduction between Hydrochoerus magna-rat and Hydrochoerus  luminaire-rat have been recorded.  This has left a bigger question why can’t these two very similar rodent breed and have offspring.

Section 1 Habitat isolation: Due to the geography of St Kitts and Nevis it was possible that only species of rodent however due natural forces and changing of the geographical landscape the population of said species could have been separated. Thus, meaning over time the two populations evolved to be similar but also much different at the same time, this habitat isolation limited the gene flow / gene pool to two distinctive islands meaning those species may have very different genes to one another.

Section 2 Gene Flow: As already explained in the section above the gene flow was severely limited due to the geographical isolation experienced between these two species. It is possible during the early stages when there was a possible land bridge or way across the gap between those two islands the gene flow was steady and contained a lot of variation, However a lot of time has passed since then and the gene flows have been limited to different islands meaning the variation in the gene flow has significantly dropped this means the possibility of both species sharing a gene has dropped as time goes on meaning that the probability of a successful mate between these two species goes lower as time goes on.

Section 3 Mutation: Both Species have had different mutations that suit their own habitats, however these two habitats are different two each other a mutation that helps Hydrochoerus  luminaire-rat may be detrimental to Hydrochoerus magna-rat thus meaning Magna rats that have similar mutations die out, due to natural selection. This can be seen in physical measurements recorded on both species. Hydrochoerus magna-rat has recorded a much faster top speed than that of Hydrochoerus  luminaire-rat meaning the Magna-Rat has developed a mutation that allows it move much faster. Evidence can support that Magna-rat has mutated powerful lower body capabilities compared to luminaire-rat. As seen from the recorded leap height. On average Magma-Rat was able to jump at least 1.4 meters into the air whilst luminaire-rat on average was only able to jump 0.4 M, this suggests that the magna-rat due environmental factors favoured a mutation that gave Magna-rat a more robust and powerful lower body. Measurements of hind limbs can support this claim Magna-rat has a hind limb length of 7.8cm whilst luminaire-rat only has a hind limb length of 4.2 cm suggesting Magna-rat has experienced a different mutation to that of luminaire-rat, this mutation allows Magna-rat to adapt to its ever-changing environment.

Conclusion:

These two species are very similar however genetically are very different which prevents them from breeding and capybaras are cool.

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New Species Identified in West Indies- Fri amB7

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New Species Identified in West Indies- Fri amB7

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It has been discovered from a recent investigation into the St. Kitts Squirrel that the split of St Kitts and Nevis Islands caused what was originally one species of Squirrel to be split into two separate species, as a result of geographical isolation. Although the rodents on both islands look identical at first glance, the two groups would have separately evolved as a result of natural selection pressures on their respective islands. Examples of these pressures may have included different terrains, predators, and competitors. These separate developments include changes in courting practices evident in the data obtained(12.6sec in St. Kitts Squirrel vs 21.3sec in Nevis Squirrel), and different sized body parts, also evident in the data. The st kitts rodent weighs less at 83g, is shorter yet has longer limbs than the nevis rodent. The nevis rodent is heavier weighing 86g, is longer in size yet has shorter limbs. (e.g. hind limbs 4.4cm in Nevis Squirrel vs 7.8 cm in St. Kitts Squirrel). These changes between the two groups indicate allopatric speciation occurred, meaning two different species Sciurus Nevis(Nevis Squirrel) and Sciurus Kitts (St. Kitts Squirrel) arose from the geographic isolation. Overtime as both species separately evolved, they were no longer mechanically or behaviourally adaptable. As such when the two species were reunited, they were unable to copulate due to mechanical and behavioural isolation that occurred as a result of allopatric speciation.

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​​​​Day 306 of trying to save the St Kitts Rodent, with no avail. Located in the west Indies, I was hired to create and enact a recovery plan for them. Gene flow sounded like the correct plan. Seeing as how the next island, Nevis, had rodent of the same family and species it should have been simple; just introduce the Nevis rodents to St. Kitts during the St. Kitts reproductive season giving the St. Kitts Rodents more diversity and choice. Yet, 240 attempts later to bring a Nevis Rodent into the St Kitts population not a single successful courtship has occurred. It doesn’t make sense, they are almost identical… almost.

After the conclusive evidence that they will not reproduce together I decided to find out why.

It did not take long for more reasons to come to light, the more I looked the more I saw how different the two Rodents were. Even just on a physical view point there were differences, the St. Kitts rodent was built with longer hind limbs, averaging 7.8 cm while the Nevis Rodent was only averaging 4.2 cm. This led to the St. Kitts Rodent being able to run faster, leap higher than the Nevis Rodent. Further I knew that the rodents had a different reproductive seasons with the gestational time for St. Kitts rodents being 29.3 days on average with a courtship display of 12.6 seconds while the Nevis Rodent had a gestation period of 42.7 days and a courtship of almost double the time at 21.3 seconds.

It became apparent that the two Rodent groups were incompatible.

As an expert in mammalian reproductive strategies this is embarrassing as I should have considered allopatric speciation and temporal isolation before enacting my plan.The microevolution has caused barriers causing the rodents never be able to mix gene pools or have successful reproduction. Meaning gene flow would never have worked.

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Recovery program for the rodents in St. Kitts is a BUST! 

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Recovery program for the rodents in St. Kitts is a BUST! 

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Squirrlatus Diemorphus is endangering the islanders!

After 240 attempts to yield successful reproduction between a Nevis and St. Kitts rodent, the recovery program failed to achieve its goal of stabilizing St. Kitts rodent population. Instead a new mutation has taken over the island! The rodents in the genius  Sciurus is now classified as a positions species that endangers human beings. When the rodents of Nevis where introduces to St. Kitts, the St. Kitts rodents showed great hostility, and produced uncharacteristic territorial behaviors. Natural selection benefited the weaker species by giving them the means of greater self defense, producing a new lethal type of rodent.  The common name for this new specimen is Squirrlatus Diemorphus.

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In 1822, a large population of SPERMOPHILUS gigantus lived harmoniously on the island of Nevis. One day, a great flood separated the island, stranding some of the rodents. A large percentage of the population were forced to relocate to the neighbouring island of St Kitts. This population of St Kitts was now faced with greater selection pressures due to the higher sea level, such as increased competition for food sources, less habitable terrain such as mountains as well as higher average altitudes. Allopatric speciation occurred as a result of selective pressures favouring individuals with advantageous genetic traits. Creating a new genetic variation of rodents (SPERMOPHILUS speedius). Meanwhile, populations of ‘Gigantus’ which remained in Nevis were able to just chill out after the flood.

It is possible that due to differences in gestation time as well as behavioural differences, such as clear variance in mating rituals, that these two species will not be able to effectively breed and create fertile offspring. Therefore, even if the two species were reunited, there is no guarantee that gene flow could be reestablished.

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We arrived on our first scientific expedition to the Island St Kitts to research rodents. We believe that the two species (Sciurus crus- St Kitts, Sciurus brevis pede- Nevis) have evolved from one species that initially inhabited both islands. We postulate that at some point water inundated the two islands isolating the species (habitat isolation), this interrupted the gene flow resulting in smaller gene diversity. The mutations observed between the two species are likely to have been caused by habitat isolation with differing selection pressures on their respective islands. We have observed that there are different gestation periods between the two species. We have concluded that the St Kitts rodent has a shorter gestation period. This is possibly due to loss of habitat on the St Kitts island. The two rodent species haven’t been able to interbreed because of Temporal isolation (Prezygotic reproductive isolation).  We observed more predators on the island of St Kitts which may explain the shorter gestation period in the St Kitts species. This also may explain the larger hind limbs of the St kitts rodent (Average hind limb: 7.8cm vs Average hind limb: 4.2cm) as it may use this to flee from its predators or navigate rocky terrain easier.

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Trouble in Paradise: A case of speciation in the rodent population on the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean.

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Trouble in Paradise: A case of speciation in the rodent population on the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean.

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A new rodent species believed to be part of the squirrel family has been found on the island of St.Kitts (Kittius Rodentia). As tourism grows, St. Kitts island is being developed and the rodents' habitats are being destroyed. As a result, this has caused the increasing downfall of the St. Kitts rodent population. In order to help these dwindling populations, researchers are trying to introduce the Nevis Rodent, thought to be of the same species, into St. Kitts, to reproduce with the rodents already there. If successful, this will boost rodent population and diversity, resulting in the species being stronger and less vulnerable to endangerment or extinction. However, due to their respective genetics and individually unique lifestyles, our reproductive plan fails. After some research, we found evidence of differing reproductive habits, size and speed, meaning differing species.

Natural selection: Smaller rats able to hide in smaller places (due to development and loss of habitat), larger rats unable to survive with no natural protection, exposed, DIE.

Prezygotic reproductive isolation: The formation of a strait between the island of St.Kitts and Nevis over many years has caused a speciation to occur whereby the rodents on each island are now considered different species due to their distinct traits.

Gene flow: Due to the two populations of rodents being on different islands the exchange of genes cannot occur. Therefore, without gene flow the new population has differentiated into a new species with unique traits.

FRI pmA5

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Recovery Program

After extensive research our team of scientists has concluded that the Nevis species underwent an allopatric speciation event. Due to geographical separation that occurred in the early 1800s when humans began more frequent activity between the islands, a small population of Nevis rodents boarded an exploration boat and was introduced to the island of St. Kitts. Here they were met with a smaller human population and more space to roam as well as a wilder terrain. These rodents adapted to the conditions through natural selection whereas rodents with favourable traits such as bigger bodies and faster legs were able to reproduce and pass on their genetics to the next generation. However as urbanisation on the island increased the new species of rodents named Sciuri-Kittus found their new traits to be ill suited for the new environmental conditions. The destruction of habitat for human development as well as the increased pressure of cars has caused the Sciruri-Kittus population to dramatically decrease.

Attempts to bolster the suffering St. Kitt island population with individuals from the healthy Nevis island population proved fruitless. After 240 attempts at introducing a Nevis island individual to the St Kitt population, there were no successful mating events. It appears that the generations of geographical separation of the two species has resulted in evolution that prevents the two from successfully interbreeding. Prezygotic reproductive isolation in terms of both behavioural (the found differences in average courtship times i.e. 12.6s for Sciruri-Kittu s and 21.3s for Sciruri-Nevus) as well as gametic isolation (suggested by the vastly different gestation times i.e. 29.3 days Sciruri-Kittus and 42.7 days Sciruri-Nevus) are likely factors in the inability of the two populations to mate and produce offspring.

Recovery plan as follows:

To ensure the immediate survival of the Sciuri-Kittus, three protected zones shall be established on the island to allow gene flow to continue occurring. To ensure that the phenotypes of each of these zones does not become biological undiverse, stock from each zone shall be rotated to allow interbreeding between zones and encourage continued phenotype diversity to allow the best survival chances to occur.
Fri amC15

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Speciation Case Study: 2 Species 2 IslandsUpon investigating the two populations of squirrel populating the West Indies islands of St. Kitts and Nevis. It was found that there was significant Prezygotic reproductive isolation—Behavioural isolation between the individuals introduced from the Nevis population to the St. Kitts Population. This can be seen in the data collected on the mating rituals of each population as the St. Kitts Squirrel was reported to spend on average 12.6 seconds in courtship display which is nearly half of the average time the Nevis Squirrel spent in courtship display which was 21.3 seconds. This highlights a significant difference in mating rituals and suggests that the populations of Squirrel occupying the St. Kitts Island and Nevis Island are not the same species but are two different species, Sciurus kittsus (Kitts Squirrel) and Sciurus nevisus (Nevis Squirrel). It is hypothesised that these two species had originated from one single population but due to an event (possibly continental drift) a proportion of the population was isolated on both the separate islands and therefore the populations had undergone allopatric speciation. This was due to the mutation of genes in one of the populations and was selected for the environment in which it lived.

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Speciation Case Study: 2 Species 2 IslandsUpon investigating the two populations of squirrel populating the West Indies islands of St. Kitts and Nevis. It was found that there was significant Prezygotic reproductive isolation—Behavioural isolation between the individuals introduced from the Nevis population to the St. Kitts Population. This can be seen in the data collected on the mating rituals of each population as the St. Kitts Squirrel was reported to spend on average 12.6 seconds in courtship display which is nearly half of the average time the Nevis Squirrel spent in courtship display which was 21.3 seconds. This highlights a significant difference in mating rituals and suggests that the populations of Squirrel occupying the St. Kitts Island and Nevis Island are not the same species but are two different species, Sciurus kittsus (Kitts Squirrel) and Sciurus nevisus (Nevis Squirrel). It is hypothesised that these two species had originated from one single population but due to an event (possibly continental drift) a proportion of the population was isolated on both the separate islands and therefore the populations had undergone allopatric speciation. This was due to the mutation of genes in one of the populations and was selected for the environment in which it lived.

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Apex Birds preying on the Sciruis Rodentia of St Kitts Island

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Apex Birds preying on the Sciruis Rodentia of St Kitts Island

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Sciruis Rodentia started on a combined island (St Kevis), the island now known as (Nevis) separated due to sea water levels rising as a result of climate change. Thus, isolating the Sciruis Rodentia populations into two separate environments and slowly became separate species. These environments were quite similar to each other, yet on St. Kitts predatory bird populations began to pick off the rodent species as the apex predators of the new island. As time passed, natural selection took its course, and Sciruis Rodentia adapted and caused a reduction in gene flow inhibiting the species from being able to breed. These adaptations included a reduction in weight (83g from 86g) and length (21.8cm from 23.3cm), and a major increase in (hind and fore) limb length (now 7.8 cm compared to 4.2cm and 4.2 cm to 3.9 cm, respectively) affecting their agility (top speed increasing from 0.8m/s to 2.2m/s.) Accompanying this speed increase was an increase in jump height (from 0.4m to 1.4m). All of these factors were to increase the Sciruis Rodentia’s ability to escape the apex birds. Contradictorily, the Nevis Sciruis Rodentia population wasn’t under the same pressures and remained fairly consistent in weight, length and capabilities.

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Thursday PM G1:

Oh! Different after all!

The species, Oryzomys Kitts and Oryzomys Nevis originated from a common ancestor of the Antigua Islands of which migrated to the island of St Kitts in the Caribbean. Both originating from the common genus Oryzomys, speciation has seen various changes in rodent populations and has subsequently seen the development of two species. Allopatric Isolation meant the original population was geographically isolated onto the separate islands, by which the environmental conditions and selection pressures saw the evolutionary changes in the species structure, physiology and reproduction. These changes can be specifically inferred from the size differences on the two islands, by which mates for Oryzomys Nevis would be more accessible than the mates for the Oryzomys Kitts on St Kitts. Furthermore, the increased gestation and mating period for the Nevis Rodent could imply the reduced predation rates on the island of St Nevis than St Kitts, lending to further differences in the species. Furthermore, flatter topography of St Nevis saw the development of smaller hind legs in the Oryzomys Nevis than the Oryzomys Kitts inhibiting the reproduction plan (the reintroduction to the other island) post zygotic mechanisms of mechanical and behavioural isolation meaning that no viable offspring could be produced.

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The inability of reproduction of 2 similar rodent species – Fri AmB9

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The inability of reproduction of 2 similar rodent species – Fri AmB9

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The St Kitts (Sciurus speedus) rodent and Nevis rodent (Sciuris rodentus) live on separate islands on the West Indies due to separation of the islands, this resulted in allopatric speciation.

Due to the island’s vast differences in landscape, it caused these rodents to go down different evolution paths, for instance the St Kitts (Sciurus speedus) lives on the St Kitts island which has much more rough and mountainous terrain to it meaning longer hind limbs (7.8cm compared to 4.2cm. on the Nevis rodent (Scirius rodentus) and a higher leap (1.4m to 0.4m).

The behavioural courtship ritual also could impact the struggling reproduction rate of the St Kitts (Scirius speedus), as it has a much shorter courtship than the Nevis rodent (Scirius rodentus), by 8.7 seconds.

Due to reduced hybrid fertility and gene flow between the two species this has resulted in the St Kitts (Sciurus speedus) being unable to reproduce with the Nevis rodent (Sciurus rodentus) because of reduced hybrid fertility, ultimately resulting in the St Kitt’s (Sciurus speedus) declining population.

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The islands of Nevis and St Kitts were once one land mass, however, they separated over time and each island had a rodent population. On the island of St Kitts there is a large population of lizards that prey on the rodents. As a result, natural selection favoured rodents born with a mutation for longer hind legs, which allowed for greater speed and a higher jump to avoid the predator. The threat of predation led to a lower time in courtship display and a lower average gestation to ensure survival. As such, over time the two species have diverged due to allopatric speciation, mutation and natural selection. Now, the species are isolated due to their physiological and behavioural differences. Difference in hind leg length resulted in mechanical isolation, while differences in courtship behaviour is an example of behavioural isolation. Recent weather conditions have led to a decline in rodent population on St Kitts.

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Fittus vs Fattus. How squirrels became fitter by moving from home. (Fri AM D17)

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Fittus vs Fattus. How squirrels became fitter by moving from home. (Fri AM D17)

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While trying to repopulate the St Kitts island with squirrels by using Nevis island squirrels as breeding stock, I found that the 2 populations perhaps had some fundamental differences under the skin and perhaps started from one population but split into two through ways I will describe. It seems the initial population started out on nevis as Spermophilus Fattus , then perhaps by a land bridge from the past or by humans manually migrating a select population thousands of years ago, a new species occurred on St Kitts, Spermophilus Fittus. The Fattus squirrel has shorter limbs, can’t jump as high, and moves slower than the Fittus squirrels. This difference could be attributed to Nevis having flatter terrain so food is on the ground and easy to reach, while St Kitts is rugged and mountainous meaning the squirrels there needed to move faster and be able to scale terrain to get food. The initial population evolved into this fitter squirrel by way of natural selection, where those who couldn’t reach food died, and the ones who could passed on this ability to offspring. The 2 now different species wouldn’t have interbred after the initial; migration due to habitat isolation where they couldn’t physically reach each other due to the body of water between the island. Now they are in contact again through my re-population effort, they won’t breed and produce offspring. This could be attributed to Behavioral isolation as the Fattus squirrels have a different length mating dance to the Fittus, meaning they won’t be attracted to each others dance and won’t mate.

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In a world of Human development… Rising heat means more meltdowns of glaciers and ice sheets from the Earth’s poles giving into sea-level rise. The effect of sea level rise has been observed in 2 of the islands in the West Indies in the past 100 years with their native species of rodent, the St Kitts Rodent (Gucci Sciurus) and the Nevis Rodent ( POG Sciurus) they have grown apart in the 2 different regions through sea level rise which was contributed to by climate change. On their time being separated they have adapted to their new environment through selective pressures such as living on a small island with few predators compared to living on a larger island with many predators. The effect of this is that the average limbs are smaller, body length is longer and they weigh more for the Nevis Rodent on the other hand the St Kitts Rodent weighs less and has longer limbs with a high jump rate.

Now we will take you to an expert in this field talking about their statistics Take it away Tim!  (Tim Tam) “yes as you can see these rodents have not been able to mate as they seem to be having different mating times, this could be due to the fact that the neva rodents have a longer courtship time of 21.3 seconds than the St kitts rodents where they have a time of 12.6 seconds meaning they would already be looking for another male. But more than that could be due to all animals' natural response is that the females want the strongest of their species which means that they may just not want to mate with the weaker species as they seem to have smaller hind legs of 4.2 cm compared to 7.8 cm which drastically reduces their speed from 2.2 m/s to 0.8 m/s which could lead them to being prey on by predators in the area making natural selection get rid of the neva rodents.

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Uh Oh! On the island of St Kitts we’ve been hearing there’s been an extinction level event! The local populations of squirrels on St Kitts are struggling. We are here to introduce a rodent recovery program and find out what really happened here. Individuals from the St Kitts population are having difficulty finding mates and in many cases the reproductive seasons are being delayed by up to one year! But why is this happening? We found out that the selective pressures on each island have one key difference. Cats had been introduced to the island of St Kitts hundreds of years ago, however they had been eradicated on the island of Nevis. Due to this, the squirrels on St Kitts began to adapt to evade the predator, evident in its higher top speed (2.2m/s) and higher leaping height (1.4m) they also possess larger hind limbs and are able to move faster evidently at a lighter body weight. In recent times, even more cats had been introduced to St Kitts, causing more pressure on the food chain, thus explaining the recent decline in population. We had attempted to create a gene flow between the two populations by introducing Nevis squirrels to the St Kitts population, however this failed as too much allopatric speciation caused the two populations to become distinct species. Speciation had also occurred due to behavioural changes that inevitably resulted from the two squirrels' different lifestyles. This is known as prezygotic reproductive isolation in a behavioral aspect, the evolutionary pressures because of natural selection differ between the two islands causing these species to be incompatible in reproduction. Although the St Kitts population is doomed, we at least gave this new species a name,

Sciuridae skitt.

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Nevis Island is inhabited by a small population of rodents called the ground mouse, or Mus grounus. A small population of the mice were taken to St Kitts Island where they were trained to compete in races for entertainment. As time went on the small population of mice grew faster and could jump higher. This group of mice was isolated, completely stopping the gene flow. As the slow mice where ignored and the athletic ones where bred it wasn’t long until all the isolated mice had longer hind limbs at 7.8 centimetres compared to the 4.2 centimetre hind leg of the original population. Due to the selective breeding these mice had adapted due to artificial selection. The racing of mice has decreased its popularity due to ethical concerns and many of these bred mice were released into the wild on St Kitts Island to create a natural population. An increase in urbanisation means that the new population is under threat, to combat this decline in population ecologists have taken another group of mice from Nevis island to breed with the rodents of St Kitts island but due to the habitat isolation between the two islands the two kinds of mouse aren’t able to breed although they look the same. The people have noticed that the St kitts mice can run a lot faster than the other mice at 2.2ms compared to 0.8ms. This reduced gamete viability means that the gametes are incompatible and the St Kitts mice are defined as a new species, the hopping mouse, or Mus hoppus.

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A tail of two Squirrels - From Group B10

There once was mighty squirrel from the caribbean,

But thousands of years ago

its island split by seas

Allopatric separation, one species become two

Sciuridae Kittus and Sciuridae Nevis

Looking identical,

though Kittus was hunted, quick and nimble

Nevis was safe, grown fat and slow

When humans started building over their homes

Kittus’ speed was for naught

Today there are few

To help the humans sought

Reproductive isolation, behavioural differences don’t let them copulate

But this the humans did not know

Thinking they looked identical

They missed Nevis was Slow

Isolation drove them apart

And natural selection made them change

Each process played its part

The humans attempt to help was thwarted

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Speciation of the Sciurus Genus on the islands of St Kitts and Nevis

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Speciation of the Sciurus Genus on the islands of St Kitts and Nevis

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Squirrels endemic to the island of St Kitts and Nevis, Sciurus kittsii and Sciurus nevisii  (The St Kitts red squirrel and the Nevis red squirrel), while previously thought to have been a single species species, have been observed to have significantly different ground speeds, mating habits, and limb length. This, coupled with their apparent inability to interbreed has prompted a distinction between the two species.

A hypothesis for this speciation follows below.

During the Pleistocene ice age, a small population of Sciurus igniventris, the northern Amazon red squirrel, migrated across the then-extant land bridge to the area of St Kitts and Nevis, which themselves were likely connected by a land bridge. As the climate grew warmer, the land bridge connecting the island to the mainland began to dissolve, leaving the population of Sciurus igniventris isolated, interbreeding and forming a new ancestral species to form. Towards the end of the last ice age, the land bridge connecting St Kitts and Nevis dissolved, leaving the populations of this ancestral species on their respective islands isolated from one another.

Those squirrels on St Kitts were likely subject to a selective pressure (such as small species size) which encouraged fast movement and long leaping -as shown by their long forelimbs of 4.2 cm as compared to the Nevis red squirrel (3.9cm) – perhaps a more arboreal habitat, or the presence of a predator. Genetic drift changed the duration of their mating displays, as well as possible natural selection in the presence of a hypothetical predator requiring mating to be quicker. The reduced gestation period (29.3 days for St. Kitts 42.7 days for Nevis) compared to the Nevis red squirrel can be explained by the presence of predators, as during gestation the female squirrel tends to be more sluggish and vulnerable to predation.

Those squirrels on Nevis were likely subject to less arboreal habitat and predation, and perhaps increased foods scarcity as compared to the St Kitts red squirrel; the reduced mobility and speed of the Nevis red squirrel reduces its energy requirements, which may be beneficial in an environment where food is scarce. A lack of predators accounts for the longer mating displays, as sexual selection may drive longer time for mating to ensure successful fertilisation, and the longer gestation periods, as a more-developed squirrel being born increases the chance of offspring survival in the food-scarce environment, since it would sooner be able to forage for itself.

In conclusion, the St. Kitts species diverged in morphology and behavior into a more efficient species in terms of physical speed, gestation time and possibly lower body weight. Due to genetic drift, natural selection and geographic isolation leading to allopatric speciation the two species are now unable to breed.

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As the islands of the two rodents are geographically separate they have adapted through natural selection to survive best in their original environment. For example, due to habitat isolation they breed in different types of habitats, one in borrows the other in grass fields. The location of the islands in comparison to each other also result in differing climates between the two habitats which the rodents would have adapted to to survive. For this reason the rodents are incompatable to reproduce together. As well as this, behavioural isolation, in that they have different times in courtships (one has double the time needed in courtship the other), prevents them from breeding .

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Report summary for the Department of Nature and Island Resources of the West Indies

The St Kitts Island rodent (Kittis Sciuridae) has become under threat from human population development on their island. They are generally faster, shorter, higher jumpers from their larger hind legs and have shorter gestation times than their neighbour species on the island of Nevis (Nevius Sciuridae).

This difference in gestation period and the courtship displays is likely to contribute to the likely Prezygotic reproductive isolation of these two rodent species. This is as a result of habitat isolation.

Additionally, the fur colour of each species is slightly altered. The St Kitts Island rodent has a dark brown coat while the Nevis Island rodents generally have a lighters coloured coat.

It can be inferred from this data and the observed activities of these different species that the altered stature and appearance of the Nevius Sciuridae is because of it mainly choosing to dwell on the ground. The Kittis Sciuridae hold its initial habitat in the treetops on its island and this habitat split is a great differential factor in these two species mutations.

Temporal isolation is also relevant to this study as when places together in St Kitts Island in a effort to boost population never there, these two species were found to not breed at the same time of year resulting in little to no encounters during key mating season. This is a form of Prezygotic reproductive isolation.

In conclusion, clear speciation is visible between these two now very district types of rodent, from their appearance, to their mating and their habitat choice, the geographical spit of these two populations has produced separate species adapted to their similar but slightly different environments and as such, the Nevis island variety would not assist in saving the reduced population on St Kitts Island.

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Speciation: Trouble in Paradise - Thupm A3

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Speciation: Trouble in Paradise - Thupm A3

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Rodents on St. Kitts Island (Sciurus Kitts) are failing to reproduce due to low population numbers and failing to find a mate. We tried moving rodents from the healthy population on Nevis island (Sciurus Nevis) to help them recover. Our observations showed there was little interaction between the introduced and native rodents. Of the 240 we moved over not a single one has successfully reproduced with rodents from St. Kitts (Sciurus Kitts). This made it clear to us that they are actually two different species.

Our observations showed that even though the rodents looked similar and there is no evident mechanical isolation between the two populations (shown by similar weight and length) there was a behavioural isolation between the populations creating a pre-zygotic barrier to breeding. This was evident as the St. Kitts rodents (Sciurus Kitts) courtship lasts 12.6 seconds on average while Nevis rodent's (Sciurus Nevis) courtship display lasts 21.3 seconds on average.

The habitat isolation of the two islands pose different selection pressures on the rodents causing them to adapt to their environments and mutate and specialise to their environment which enhances the chances of survival. The increased dense ground cover vegetation on Nevis gives the rodents better cover from predation, this decreases the need for a longer hindlimb and forelimb as well as a decreased top speed and the opportunity to spend longer on courtship displays.

The geographical isolation has prevented gene flow and allowed the two island's rodents to differentiate into distinct species.

In the future from our findings another method to mend the population on St. Kitts island could include increasing natural vegetation as well as having protected environmental zones to protect the habitats of the rodents and reducing the impact of tourism.

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St. Kitts rodent speciation, Fri am c 12

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St. Kitts rodent speciation, Fri am c 12

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The speciation of a new rodent, has been discovered. It has been predicted that this speciation had occurred through several factors.

Due to the continental drift of the two islands, allopatric speciation had occurred. The geographical separation of what may've been the same species has now evolved into a whole new species.

It is also predicted that this geographic isolation has impacted them in the ability to breed with other rodents causing gametic isolation.

Due to the experiment in which we tried to breed the two species we noticed the behavioral differences in their breeding patterns. This pointing towards temporal isolation.

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NEW SPECIES DISCOVERED ON ST KITT’S ISLAND! 

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NEW SPECIES DISCOVERED ON ST KITT’S ISLAND! 

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New species assumed to be in the squirrel family found on St Kitt’s Island in the Caribbean. This species is notably distinct from the Nevis Squirrel, conservational biologist confirmed this after attempts to bolster the small population of rodents on St. Kitt’s Island did not come to fruition despite numerous attempts to breed the animals. So now the focus is on identifying and investigating the two populations.

Biologists have theorized this divergence has happened over the past 100 years, the rodent population on Nevis was introduced unintentionally to St. Kitt’s when people from Nevis began visiting the island by ship in frequency during the 1900’s. With recent environmental conservation laws these trips are now very infrequent and must meet quarantine standards.

This divergence has caused the allopatric speciation of the Nevis Squirrel (Sciurus Nevis) into the St. Kitt’s Tree-climbers (Sciurus Kittus). The lack of frequent voyage between islands and inability of the rodents to swim the distance between them has caused habitat isolation, with each habitat being slightly different the two populations have diverged. The island of St. Kitts is far more mountainous and difficult to traverse, this selection pressure resulted in longer legs being preferable for continuation of the species. St. Kitt’s Tree-climber is able to hop higher and further due to this. This allotropic differentiation is the cause of the inability to bolster the St. Kitt’s population with those from Nevis, they are too distinct genetically to interbreed.

Another reason for the speciation of these two species could be due to behavioral isolation specifically seen in the difference in average time in courtship display. The St. Kitt’s Tree-climber spends 12.6 seconds in courtship whereas Nevi’s Squirrel spends 21.3 seconds. The courtship ritual doesn’t proceed to completion as a result of this.

Thupm 12C

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The species of rodent (Sciurus Jumpus) was geographically isolated, undergoing allopatric speciation from the original species Sciurus Rattus. The terrain on St. Kitts Island is much rougher, dominated my mountains and large vegetation, compared to that of Nevis island which is smoother and less harsh terrain with low to the ground food sources. This required the Sciurus Jumpus (more commonly known as jumping rat) originating from Nevis to adapt through natural selection to favour longer length in hind limbs (7.8cm compared to 3.9cm of Nevis rodent) as well as the ability for greater leap height (1.4m compared to 0.4m of Nevis rodent) to enhance survival in the new environment. This evolutionary change resulted in an interruption to the gene flow of the two species, rendering them unable to interbreed.