OLAYEMI Ayodeji Opeyemi Adewole, Nigeria

Support via: 2006 ext call; 2008 ext call

Abstract (taken from original proposal)

Rodent specimens from the genera Hylomyscus and Cricetomys have been sequenced for DNA (cytochrome b gene) from south western Nigeria for the first time. Phylogenetic trees generated by comparing these sequences to those from other geographical areas across Africa demonstrate that the Nigerian specimens are significantly divergent and should be described as separate, distinct taxa. Presently, in addition to the preliminary molecular evidence already obtained, morphological comparisons need to be carried out to identify craniometric and other discrete characters by which to delineate and fully describe these new taxa. The Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and the Royal Museum for Central Africa contain cranial series and whole specimens from various countries across Africa that form appropriate and adequate collections for the morphological comparisons proposed in this project. A study visit to Belgium to carry out these analyses will result in publications describing rodent taxa previously unknown from Nigeria.

Training location: Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels.

Read Mr. Olayemi's GTI report to learn more about his training and his research activities.

Left: Extracting DNA from rodent tissue samples at the molecular laboratory of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.

Right: Observing the results of a PCR on an eletrophoretic gel with another trainee.

Reprints:

• Olayemi A. (2007) Taxonomic evaluation by morphometric analysis of various muroid rodents from parts of southwestern Nigeria. PhD Thesis, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria. 
• Olayemi, A., Nicolas, V., Colyn, M., Leirs, H. and E. Verheyen (2007) Various murid rodents from Nigeria represent cryptic, previously undescribed taxa: preliminary DNA evidence. Poster presentation. 10th International African Small Mammal Symposium, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture. Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin, 20-25th August, 2007.
• Nicolas, V., Mboumba, J. F., Verheyen, E., Denys, C., Lecompte, E., Olayemi, A., and Colyn M. (2008) Phylogeographical structure and regional history of Lemniscomys striatus (Rodentia: Muridae) in Tropical Africa. Journal of Biogeography 35: 2074-2089.
• Olayemi, A. and A. Akinpelu (2008) Diversity and distribution of murid rodent populations between forest and derived savanna sites within south western Nigeria. Biodiversity and Conservation 17: 2411-2425.
• Olayemi, A. and A. Akinpelu (2008) Morphometric characterization of the Giant pouched rat (Cricetomys Waterhouse 1840) in the forest zone of south western Nigeria.
  Mammalia 72: 229-236.
• Nicolas, V., Akpatou, B., Wendelen, W., Kerbis-Peterhans, J., Olayemi, A., Decher, J.,Isaquou, D., Missoup, A. D., Denys, C., Barriere, P., Cruaud, C. and M. Colyn (In press)  Molecular and morphometric variation in two sibling species of the genus Praomys (Rodentia: Muridae): implications for biogeography. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.