Phylogeography and co-evolution of ectoparasitic mites that live on the rodent host species Lemniscomys rosalia (Rodentia: Muridea)

Abstract

Lemniscomys rosalia is a widespread, possibly cryptic species of murid grass mouse. Cytogenetic evidence points towards cryptic speciation in L. rosalia as the eastern African karyotype (2N = 54; FNA = 62) differs from the southern African karyotype (2N = 48; FNA = 62). Further resolution through phylogeographic analysis is necessary to corroborate this hypothesis; however, there is little to no molecular data on L. rosalia. The present study sought to determine the phylogeographic patterns found in southern African populations of L. rosalia using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Parasites are commonly used to complement the genealogy of their host species since both species may undergo co-phylogeny.