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| Bullimus carletoni Heaney, Kyriazis, Balete, Rickart & Bates, 2021 |
Abstract
The Philippine endemic genus Bullimus is currently considered to include three species, one each from the Late Pleistocene islands of Greater Mindanao, Greater Luzon, and Camiguin. We describe a fourth species, Bullimus carletoni, new species, from the Caramoan Peninsula in southern Luzon based on analyses of molecular and craniodental data. Molecular data suggest that Bullimus colonized Luzon from the southern Philippines and began diversifying on Luzon by ca. 232 kya. This species is associated with partially disturbed forest habitat over limestone and ophiolitic soils, where it is active primarily on the ground at night. Recognition of this species raises the number of endemic mammals on the Bicol Peninsula of southern Luzon to six, emphasizing its importance as a center of endemism.
Keywords: biodiversity, biogeography, endemism, mammals, oceanic island, speciation
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| Drawing of lateral view of Bullimus carletoni based on FMNH 203244–203246. |
Bullimus carletoni, new species
Etymology.— We take special pleasure in naming this species in honor of our colleague, Michael Dean Carleton, in recognition of his great contributions to scientific knowledge through extensive museum collection-based biodiversity re-search and decades of patient and exemplary efforts as an Associate Editor of the Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington.
Distribution.—Documented only from the eastern portion of the Caramoan Peninsula (Fig. 1), with a possible report from the base of Saddle Peak (Balete et al. 2013).
Lawrence R. Heaney, Christopher C. Kyriazis, Danilo S. Balete, Eric A. Rickart and John M. Bates. 2021. A New Species of Bullimus (Muridae, Rodentia) from southern Luzon Island, Philippines. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 134; 131–148. DOI: 10.2988/0006-324X-134.1.yy
