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| Euroscaptor orlovi
Zemlemerova, Bannikova, Lebedev, Rozhnov & Abramov, 2016
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ABSTRACT
A study of the Southeast Asian moles of the genus Euroscaptor based on a combined approach, viz. DNA sequence data combined with a multivariate analysis of cranial characters, has revealed a high cryptic diversity of the group. An analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and five nuclear genes has revealed two deeply divergent clades: the western one (E. klossi + E. malayana + E. longirostris from Sichuan + Euroscaptor spp. from northern Vietnam and Yunnan, China), and the eastern one (E. parvidens s.l. + E. subanura). The pattern of genetic variation in the genus Euroscaptor discovered in the present study provides support for the existence of several cryptic lineages that could be treated as distinct species based on their genetic and morphological distinctness and geographical distribution. The moles from southern China and northern Vietnam form three distinct groups. The specimens from Sichuan (including the one collected from the type locality of E. longirostris) were clearly distinct from the northwestern Vietnam and Yunnan samples that were previously attributed to this species. We argue that the real distribution of E. longirostris is restricted to Sichuan, northward of Yangtze River, whereas the populations occurring southward of this isolation barrier evidently represent a new species Euroscaptor orlovi sp. nov. (northwestern Vietnam and Yunnan, southern China). Moreover, Red River that divides the western and eastern parts of northern Vietnam beyond doubt separates the population of E. orlovi from the moles occurring in northeastern Vietnam (Vinh Phuc and Cao Bang provinces); the latter are described here as Euroscaptor kuznetsovi sp. nov. Yet, genetic data are in favour of a close affinity of E. subanura with E. parvidens. A combined analysis of both genetic and morphological data has revealed a strong geographic segregation of E. parvidens samples. The populations from Dalat Plateau (southern Vietnam), including the moles from Loc Bao, Bi Dup and Chu Yang Sin, form a well-supported clade and can be considered true E. parvidens. The specimens from central Vietnam (Kon Tum and Quang Nam provinces) are significantly different from them, yet their monophyly has been supported by the mtDNA only. The moles from central Vietnam have been described here as a new subspecies Euroscaptor parvidens ngoclinhensis ssp. nov. All the studied samples of E. subanura have shown a low genetic and morphological variability despite their wide geographic range.
Key words: cryptic species, Euroscaptor, multilocus phylogeny, multivariate analyses, taxonomy
SYSTEMATICS
Genus Euroscaptor Miller, 1940
Type species: Talpa klossi Thomas, 1929.
Distribution: widely distributed in South Asia,
occurring in China, Nepal, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar,
Thailand, and Peninsular Malaysia.
Composition: Euroscaptor klossi (Thomas, 1929),
Euroscaptor longirostris (Milne-Edwards, 1870),
Euroscaptor malayana (Chasen, 1940), Euroscaptor
parvidens (Miller, 1940), Euroscaptor subanura
Kawada et al., 2012, Euroscaptor orlovi sp. nov., and
Euroscaptor kuznetsovi sp. nov. (see descriptions
below). Probably, also includes Euroscaptor grandis
Miller, 1940 and Euroscaptor micrura (Hodgson,
1841). The taxonomic status of “Talpa” cryptura
Blyth, 1843 from Darjeeling, India remains obscure.
Euroscaptor orlovi sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Large-sized mole, comparable to E.
longirostris. Pelage blackish brown. Tail long and
club-shaped. Rostral part of skull elongated and narrow.
Posterolingual border of P4 deeply concave. Anterior
parts of auditory bullae flatted and straddling.
A new species distinguished by the mitochondrial
gene cytochrome b and five nuclear genes (BRCA1,
BRCA2, ApoB, RAG1 and A2ab) (see Figs 2–4).
Etymology. The new species is named in honour
of Dr. Nikolai L. Orlov (Zoological Institute, Russian
Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia) in
recognition of his remarkable contributions to the
study of animals of Vietnam.
Distribution. Found in northern Vietnam (Lao
Cai Province, Sa Pa District) and southern China
(Yunnan Province). It may have a wider distribution
in the highlands of northern Laos and in northwestern
Vietnam, probably westward of Red River.
Euroscaptor kuznetsovi sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Large-sized mole, comparable to
E. longirostris and E. orlovi sp. nov. Pelage blackish
brown. Tail long and club-shaped. Rostral part of
skull elongated and relatively wide. Posterolingual
border of P4 deeply concave. Anterior parts of auditory
bullae flatted and straddling. A new species distinguished
by the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b
and five nuclear genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, ApoB, RAG1
and A2ab) (see Figs 2–4).
Etymology. The new species is named in honour
of Dr. German V. Kuznetsov (A.N. Severtsov Institute
of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of
Sciences, Moscow) in recognition of his many contributions
to the study of mammals of Vietnam.
Distribution. Distributed in north-eastern
Vietnam. It is recorded from Vinh Phuc Province
(Tam Dao) and Cao Bang Province (Nguyen Binh
District). Found at the elevations of 750–950 m a.s.l.
Probably, the record from Guangxi, south-eastern
China (Hoffman and Lunde 2008) belongs to this
species as well.
Euroscaptor parvidens ngoclinhensis subsp. nov.
Diagnosis. Small-sized mole, comparable only to
E. subanura, and smaller on average in its external
and cranial measurements than the nominotypical
E. parvidens. The fourth upper premolar with a well
developed parastyle. A new species distinguished by
the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b (see Fig. 2).
Etymology. The subspecies is named after the
Ngoc Linh Mountain in Kon Tum Province of Vietnam,
from where it was collected for the first time.
Distribution. Known from the Central Highlands
of Vietnam (Kon Tum and Quang Nam provinces).
Probably, the moles from Gia Lai Province (Abramov
et al. 2013a) belong to this subspecies.
E.D. Zemlemerova, A.A. Bannikova, V.S. Lebedev, V.V. Rozhnov and A.V. Abramov. 2016. Secrets of the Underground Vietnam: An Underestimated Species Diversity of Asian Moles (Lipotyphla: Talpidae: Euroscaptor) [ТАЙНЫ ПОДЗЕМНОГО ВЬЕТНАМА: НЕДООЦЕНЕННОЕ ВИДОВОЕ РАЗНООБРАЗИЕ АЗИАТСКИХ КРОТОВ (LIPOTYPHLA: TALPIDAE: EUROSCAPTOR)]. Proceedings of the Zoological Institute RAS. 320(2); 193–220. istina.msu.ru/publications/article/22015267
Stranger Species shar.es/1M90OQ
