Latest Articles from ZooKeys Latest 6 Articles from ZooKeys https://zookeys.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 12:33:55 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://zookeys.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from ZooKeys https://zookeys.pensoft.net/ Novel genomic resources contribute to the systematics of threatened arboreal deer mice of the genus Habromys Hooper & Musser, 1964 (Cricetidae, Neotominae) within a neotomine–peromyscine phylogeny https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/108759/ ZooKeys 1179: 157-168

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1179.108759

Authors: Susette Castañeda-Rico, Lillian D. Parker, Evelyn Sánchez, Sheccid Rivas-Trasvina, Melissa T. R. Hawkins, Cody W. Edwards, Jesús E. Maldonado

Abstract: The Crested-tailed deer mouse, Habromys lophurus, is one of seven arboreal species within the genus Habromys. Species of this genus are monotypic, relatively rare, and occur in low densities. Their geographical distribution is highly fragmented due to being restricted to montane cloud forest in Mesoamerica and they are of conservation concern. All Habromys species are endemic to Mexico, except H. lophurus, which is also distributed in Guatemala and El Salvador. In this study, we obtained and characterized the first mitogenome and several thousand nuclear ultraconserved elements (UCEs) of H. lophurus to determine its phylogenetic position within neotomine–peromyscine mice. Its mitogenome sequence (16,509 bp) is only the second complete mitogenome obtained for this poorly known genus. We also obtained the first nuclear genomic data for H. lophurus, including 3,654 UCE loci, as well as a partial mitogenome of H. simulatus (6,349 bp), and 2,186 UCE for the outgroup Holochilus sciureus. Phylogenetic analyses that included our newly generated genomic data coupled with previously published data from other neotomine–peromyscine mice confirm the placement of H. lophurus, H. simulatus, and H. ixtlani within a highly supported clade. The Habromys clade was nested within a clade that also contains members of the genus Peromyscus and provides further support for the hypothesis of the paraphyly of Peromyscus. These genomic resources will contribute to future phylogenomic studies that aim to further elucidate the evolutionary history of this rare and critically endangered genus of rodents.

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Short Communication Mon, 11 Sep 2023 10:14:32 +0300
New species of the Spiny Mouse genus Neacomys (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) from northwestern Ecuador https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/106113/ ZooKeys 1175: 187-221

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1175.106113

Authors: Nicolás Tinoco, Claudia Koch, Javier E. Colmenares-Pinzón, Francisco X. Castellanos, Jorge Brito

Abstract: Neacomys is a genus of small spiny or bristly sigmodontine rodents that are common components of mammalian faunas in multiple biomes on Central and South America. Recent studies on this group have demonstrated that there is cryptic diversity yet to be discovered within currently recognized species that have not received comprehensive revisions, as well as in areas that have been overlooked. Here we ratify this assertion by describing a new species previously misidentified as the Narrow-footed Spiny Mouse (Neacomys tenuipes) from the Chocó biogeographic region in northwestern Ecuador, Neacomys marci Brito & Tinoco, sp. nov. Distinctiveness of this entity is supported by the combination of the following morphological characters: small size (head-body length 65–85 mm); long tail (69–126% longer than head-body length); pale buff-colored but gray-based belly fur; white throat; hypothenar pad usually absent; long nasals; and a condylar process higher than the coronoid process. Likewise genetic distance analyses and phylogenetic reconstructions based on cytochrome-b (Cytb) sequence data indicate a clear divergence from typical populations of N. tenuipes, and a sister relationship between them. The results presented here increase the diversity of Neacomys to 24 species, placing it among the most diverse genera within the sigmodontine rodents.

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Research Article Thu, 17 Aug 2023 10:40:14 +0300
Penile shape discriminates two cryptic species of Akodon Meyen, 1833 (Mammalia, Rodentia, Cricetidae) from eastern Brazil https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/89587/ ZooKeys 1134: 1-22

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1134.89587

Authors: Leonardo Campana, Letícia Rosário Cruz, Roberta Paresque, Valéria Fagundes

Abstract: Glans penis morphology has been used as a powerful tool in mammal taxonomy to differentiate cryptic species. Neotropical rodent species Akodon cursor and A. montensis are cryptic, and interspecific hybrids are like their parental species. We investigated non-metric and metric phallic characters aiming to differentiate A. cursor from A. montensis. We also evaluated the parental species’ influence of the phallic characters on hybrids. We analysed 96 male adults—56 A. cursor, 27 A. montensis, and 13 hybrids, subgrouping species by locality and hybrids by parental species (paternal vs maternal). We verified that A. cursor and A. montensis are distinguishable by penile-shape morphology: A. cursor has an elongated penile form with a flare in the distal portion and A. montensis has a barrel-shaped form. Also, dark spots in ventral view, if present in A. montensis, distinguish A. montensis from A. cursor. Although the non-metric characters differentiate the species, they do not distinguish the subgroups of A. cursor, A. montensis, and hybrids. The metric phallic characters indicated a significant difference between species and hybrids. These characters also differentiate the population groups of A. cursor. However, A. montensis subgroups and hybrids subgroups did not present a significant difference. This study shows the importance of penis morphology in the taxonomy of the cryptic rodent species A. cursor and A. montensis, representing a powerful tool to discriminate male specimens in mammal collections without karyotyping or sequencing, even though the specimens occurred in sympatric areas. Since most taxidermy protocols do not preserve the penis in mammal preparations, liquid preservation of some specimens or the removal of the penis before taxidermy for liquid preservation could be beneficial. We also recommend the organisation in museum collections of a penis bank for the A. cursor species group (or even all rodent species) to avoid losing this important information for species identification.

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Research Article Mon, 5 Dec 2022 15:51:55 +0200
Evidence of late root formation of molars in Anderson’s red-backed vole, Eothenomys andersoni (Thomas, 1905) (Cricetidae, Rodentia), and arguments for its generic allocation https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/86960/ ZooKeys 1123: 187-204

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1123.86960

Authors: Masahiro A. Iwasa, Yukibumi Kaneko, Yoshiyuki Kimura

Abstract: We evaluated the molars in Anderson’s red-backed vole (n = 114) from the Kii Peninsula of Honshu, Japan. Two of the specimens are considered extremely old aged based on their dimensions and on the loss of alveolar capsules of M2, and a third one is also old based on its strongly worn left M3 and M1. Of the former two individuals, one showed an incipient closure of re-entrant angles at its basal end, as estimated from the difference between the occlusal patterns of the occlusal and basal surfaces of the left M2. The latter individual also showed a complete closure of the basal end in the left M3. These patterns differ from incipient roots observed in other vole taxa but were similar to a previous example of incipient roots in Anderson’s red-backed vole. Therefore, we suggest that molar roots in this species form at an extremely late age or by strong wear. Root formation in molars is considered an important diagnostic character, as Eothenomys molars lack roots, while Craseomys molars develop roots at a late age. However, this dental character may be particularly difficult to assess in voles under natural conditions. Considering previous phylogenetic findings based on molecular analyses, Craseomys is the most appropriate genus for Anderson’s and other Asiatic red-backed voles.

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Research Article Fri, 7 Oct 2022 17:54:54 +0300
Checklist of rodents and insectivores of the Mordovia, Russia https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/57359/ ZooKeys 1004: 129-139

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1004.57359

Authors: Alexey V. Andreychev, Vyacheslav A. Kuznetsov

Abstract: A list of 40 species is presented of the rodents and insectivores collected during a 15-year period from the Republic of Mordovia. The dataset contains more than 24,000 records of rodent and insectivore species from 23 districts, including Saransk. A major part of the data set was obtained during expedition research and at the biological station. The work is based on the materials of our surveys of rodents and insectivorous mammals conducted in Mordovia using both trap lines and pitfall arrays using traditional methods.

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Research Article Wed, 16 Dec 2020 21:30:01 +0200
Mammals in the MZNA Vertebrate Collection of University of Navarra, Spain https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/10207/ ZooKeys 634: 137-150

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.634.10207

Authors: Nora Escribano, David Galicia, Arturo H. Ariño, Carmen Escala

Abstract: In this paper five datasets are described that provide information about records of mammals in the Vertebrate Collection of the Museum of Zoology of the University of Navarra (MZNA-VERT). The datasets contain 3,466 records belonging to 20 species of mammals sampled across the transition zone between the Atlantic and Mediterranean biogeographical regions (north Iberian Peninsula). The datasets include both distributional data (georeferenced records) and basic biometric data of most of the vouchered specimens stored in the museum facilities. The samples originated mainly within research projects and PhD theses carried out in the former department of Zoology and Ecology of the University of Navarra between 1982 and 2011. The Darwin Core Archive Format datasets are accessible through GBIF.

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Data Paper Mon, 21 Nov 2016 17:36:06 +0200