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| silky anteater Cyclopes didactylus
Miranda, Casali, Perini, et al. 2018. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlx079
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Abstract
The taxonomy of Cyclopes didactylus is marked by a confusing history of new names, with few or no references to types, and new subspecies without any verified geographic correspondence. Here, we review the taxonomy of the genus Cyclopes using an integrative approach that combines morphological, morphometric and molecular data. We, therefore, aim to clarify many issues concerning the taxonomy, distribution and conservation status of the valid taxa and describe new previously unrecognized species for the genus. We examined a total of 287 specimens of Cyclopes, including skins and skulls, housed in 20 natural history collections and 33 samples for molecular analyses. Based on evidence provided by molecular phylogenetics using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, allied with coalescent species delimitation analyses, diagnostic characters of the skull, colour patterns and structures of pelage, we suggest that the genus Cyclopes comprises at least seven species. Four previous species designations are considered valid here: Cyclopes didactylus (Linnaeus, 1758); Cyclopes ida Thomas, 1900; Cyclopes catellus Thomas, 1928; and Cyclopes dorsalis (Gray, 1865). In addition, three new species are described. The results presented here have large implications for the conservation status and management practices of silky anteaters.
Family Cyclopedidae
Genus Cyclopes Gray, 1821
Cyclopes didactylus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Cyclopes ida Thomas, 1900
Cyclopes dorsalis (Gray, 1865)
Cyclopes catellus Thomas, 1928
Cyclopes thomasi sp. nov.
Etymology: The specific name honours Michael Rogers Oldfield Thomas, in recognition of his extensive contribution to mammalogy, and specifically to the taxonomy of Cyclopes.
Cyclopes rufus sp. nov.
Etymology: The specific name rufus (meaning ‘red’ in Latin) refers to the reddish tone of the dorsal coloration of this species.
Cyclopes xinguensis sp. nov.
Etymology: The specific epithet xinguensis refers to the type locality of this species in Vitória do Xingu, Pará, Brazil. Xingu is an indigenous word meaning good and clean water.
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| The silky anteater (Cyclopes didactylus)
photo: Quinten Questel/CC 3.0/Wikimedia Commons
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Flávia R Miranda, Daniel M Casali, Fernando A Perini, Fabio A Machado and Fabrício R Santos. 2018. Taxonomic Review of the Genus Cyclopes Gray, 1821 (Xenarthra: Pilosa), with the Revalidation and Description of New Species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlx079. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlx079
ResearchGate.net/publication/321733059_Taxonomic_review_of_the_genus_Cyclopes_Xenarthra_Pilosa_with_the_revalidation_and_description_of_new_species
ResearchGate.net/publication/321733059_Taxonomic_review_of_the_genus_Cyclopes_Xenarthra_Pilosa_with_the_revalidation_and_description_of_new_species
Brazilian researchers uncover 6 new species of silky anteater
eurekalert.org/e/84qs via @EurekAlert
eurekalert.org/e/84qs via @EurekAlert
Cientistas brasileiros descobrem seis novas espécies de tamanduás-anões - ciencia.estadao.com.br/noticias/geral,cientistas-brasileiros-descobrem-seis-novas-especies-de-tamanduas-anoes,70002115814 @estadao
