Latest Articles from ZooKeys Latest 2 Articles from ZooKeys https://zookeys.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:05:14 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://zookeys.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from ZooKeys https://zookeys.pensoft.net/ A new species of forest hedgehog (Mesechinus, Erinaceidae, Eulipotyphla, Mammalia) from eastern China https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/111615/ ZooKeys 1185: 143-161

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1185.111615

Authors: Zifan Shi, Hongfeng Yao, Kai He, Weipeng Bai, Jiajun Zhou, Jingyi Fan, Weiting Su, Wenhui Nie, Shuzhen Yang, Kenneth O. Onditi, Xuelong Jiang, Zhongzheng Chen

Abstract: The hedgehog genus Mesechinus (Erinaceidae, Eulipotyphla) is currently comprised of four species, M. dauuricus, M. hughi, M. miodon, and M. wangi. Except for M. wangi, which is found in southwestern China, the other three species are mainly distributed in northern China and adjacent Mongolia and Russia. From 2018 to 2023, we collected seven Mesechinus specimens from Anhui and Zhejiang provinces, eastern China. Here, we evaluate the taxonomic and phylogenetic status of these specimens by integrating molecular, morphometric, and karyotypic approaches. Our results indicate that the Anhui and Zhejiang specimens are distinct from the four previously recognized species and are a new species. We formally described it here as Mesechinus orientalis sp. nov. It is the only Mesechinus species occurring in eastern China and is geographically distant from all known congeners. Morphologically, the new species is most similar to M. hughi, but it is distinguishable from that species by the combination of its smaller size, shorter spines, and several cranial characteristics. Mesechinus orientalis sp. nov. is a sister to the lineage composed of M. hughi and M. wangi from which it diverged approximately 1.10 Ma.

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Research Article Tue, 28 Nov 2023 19:58:37 +0200
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