9520847 McKenna This research involves determination of the evolutionary relationships among fossil and recent hedghogs. Morphological, dental morphometrics and biogeographical evidence will be evaluated. The proposed research will yield significant new phylogenetic information regarding the interrelationships of members of this mammalian family. In addition the study will provide an evaluation of different methods for recovery of the best estimate of phylogemy (taxon congruence vs. total evidence approach) and consideration of the dispersal corridor for hedgehogs from the Old World to North America. A final consideration will be the power of a phylogemy to predict climate change.
