[Mammalogy • 2026] Coendou sangay • A New Species of Coendou (Rodentia: Erethizontidae) within the Hyper-diverse Mammalian Community of Sangay National Park in Ecuador

 

Coendou sangay Brito, 

in Brito​, Curay, León-Caldas, Lojan-Cueva, Ojala-Barbour, Pozo-Zamora, Simba, Tito, Vargas, Vega-Yánez et Batallas, 2026. 

Sangay Porcupine | Puerco espín de Sangay  ||  DOI:  doi.org/10.7717/peerj.21382

Abstract 

The tropical Andes harbor high levels of undocumented biodiversity, often hidden within complex ecological communities that require sustained sampling efforts to be fully characterized. Here, we describe a new species of porcupine of the genus Coendou, discovered within the hyper-diverse mammalian assemblage of Sangay National Park (Sangay) in Ecuador. The description is based on an adult specimen collected at 2,400 m on the eastern slopes of the Andes. Phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial Cytochrome b (Cytb) place the new species as a distinct lineage within the Clade B (sensu (Voss, Hubbard & Jansa, 2013)), showing significant genetic divergence (p-distance > 6.0%) from its closest congeners, C. speratus, C. nycthemera and C. bicolor. Morphologically, Coendou sangay sp. nov. is diagnosed by its medium body size, a remarkably short tail (approx. 26% of head-and-body length), tricolored bristle-quills with brownish-red tips, and distinct cranial features, including a long nasal bone and a mesopterygoid fossa that does not reach the second upper molar. This discovery is contextualized within a comprehensive mammalian inventory of Sangay, compiled over 15 years of fieldwork. Despite an intensive sampling effort totaling 12,800 trap-nights and 2,400 camera-trap days, only a single specimen was obtained, highlighting the species status as a rare, canopy-dwelling specialist. We report 170 mammal species within the park, including 18 endemic and 35 threatened taxa. With a richness of 0.03 species per km2, Sangay ranks as the most mammal-diverse protected area per unit area in the Tropics. Our results demonstrate that intensive, long-term inventories are essential for identifying cryptic arboreal lineages that remain “invisible” to traditional terrestrial sampling. Finally, we emphasize the urgent need for conservation policies, including the strengthening of biological corridors and the limitation on road and mining expansion, to safeguard this high-elevation biodiversity hotspot.

Keywords: Eastern Andes, Cloud forest, Rare species, Biodiversity hotspot, Species delimitation

Systematic

Family Erethizontidae Bonaparte, 1845

Genus Coendou Lacépède, 1799

Coendou sangay new species. Brito

Coendou rufescens: Brito & Ojala-Barbour (2016), not Coendou rufescens (Gray, 1865)

Coendou rufescens: Batallas & Brito (2022), not Coendou rufescens (Gray, 1865)

Sangay Porcupine, Puerco espín de Sangay (in Spanish)

Diagnosis. Coendou sangay sp. nov. is distinguished from other species of the genus by its medium-sized body (HBL 460 mm) and very small tail (26% LT/HBL), absence of long fur, tricolored bristle-quills (with brownish red tips), spiny ventral fur, and a unique combination of cranial features, including a long nasal bone (35% LN/CIL), constricted maxillary bony bridge, and a mesopterygoid fossa that does not reach M2.

Coendou sangay sp. nov. (MECN 4343, holotype).
 (A) External appearance of the adult female alive in its natural habitat in the Sangay, Ecuador; (B) lateral and (C) posterior view of the revealing an aposematic coloration.

 Photographs by J. Brito.

Selected external and soft anatomical features of Coendou sangay sp. nov. (MECN 4343, holotype).
Ventral view of the hand (A), and of the foot (B); detail of the muzzle (C); perineal region (D), and ventral view of the tail (E).

 Abbreviations: a = anus, v = vagina. Photographs by J. Brito.

Etymology: This species is named in honor of Sangay National Park, which is the largest Andean national park in Ecuador. The park includes a large elevation gradient along the eastern slopes, or Eastern Cordillera, of the Andes and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park gets its name from Sangay, one of Ecuador’s most active volcanoes, which is located within its boundaries.

Field expedition to Guabisai (A), Cubillines (B), and sampling and collecting in the area (C, D).

Photographs of J. Brito (A, C, D), and G. Pozo (B).

Jorge Brito​, Jenny Curay, Víctor León-Caldas, Pamela Lojan-Cueva, Reed Ojala-Barbour, Glenda Pozo-Zamora, Laura Simba, Paul Tito, Rocío Vargas, Mateo A. Vega-Yánez and Diego Batallas. 2026. Discovery of A New Species of Coendou (Rodentia: Erethizontidae) within the Hyper-diverse Mammalian Community of Sangay National Park in Ecuador. PeerJ. 14:e21382 DOI:  doi.org/10.7717/peerj.21382 [June 8, 2026]

[Mammalogy • 2026] Oreoryzomys jumandi, O. balneator, O. hesperus, ... • Mountains of Diversity: A Systematic Revision of the Andean Rodent Genus Oreoryzomys (Rodentia: Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae)

 

(A-E) Oreoryzomys balneator (Thomas, 1900);
(F-J) O. hesperus (Anthony, 1924);
 (K-O) Oreoryzomys jumandi Brito, Vargas, García, Tinoco & Pardiñas, 

in Brito​, Vargas, Tinoco, García, Carrión-Olmedo, Koch, Wistuba, Nivelo-Villavicencio et Pardiñas. 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20515

Abstract

The until recently monotypic cricetid genus Oreoryzomys inhabits piedmont and cloud forests, primarily in eastern Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Erected following the taxonomic revision of a polytypic Oryzomys complex two decades ago, Oreoryzomys has remained poorly understood, with most references limited to the original descriptions of its type species (O. balneator) and a subspecies (O. b. hesperus). Here, we present an integrative taxonomic revision of the genus, based on new field collections and comprehensive museum-based analyses. Phylogenetic reconstructions from mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences, combined with morphometric and qualitative morphological data, support the recognition of three species: (1) a redescribed O. balneator from central-eastern Ecuador; (2) O. hesperus, elevated to full species rank based on topotypic material; and (3) a new species from populations of the Quijos River Valley, northeastern Ecuador. This revision triples the known species diversity of Oreoryzomys and highlights the genus as a notable radiation of small-bodied oryzomyines adapted to Andean environments. Our findings emphasize the need for systematic revisions of other poorly known Andean rodents to better reveal the hidden diversity of cricetids and the role of the Andes in shaping Neotropical biodiversity.

Keywords: Andes, Ecuador, New species, Oreoryzomys balneator, Oreoryzomys hesperus, Oryzomyini, Peru

 

External appearance of the three Oreoryzomys species (left panels) and details of their feet and hands (right panels).
Top row: (A) live lateral view (O. balneator, MECN 5815); (B–C) plantar and dorsal views of foot; (D–E) palmar and dorsal views of hand (MECN 6140).
Middle row: (F) live lateral view (O. a. hesperus, MECN 4789); (G–H) plantar and dorsal views of foot; (I–J) palmar and dorsal views of hand.
Bottom row: (K) live lateral view (Oreoryzomys jumandi sp. nov., MECN 8278, holotype); (L–M) plantar and dorsal views of foot; (N–O) palmar and dorsal views of hand.

Scale = 10 mm. Photographs (A–J, L–O) by J Brito; (K) by R Wistuba.

Oreoryzomys jumandi new species. Brito, Vargas, García, Tinoco & Pardiñas

 

Jumandi Mountain Mouse, 

Ratón montano de Jumandi (in Spanish)

 

Diagnosis: A species of Oreoryzomys distinguished by the following combination of characters: incisive foramina short, not reaching the anterior margin of M1 (Fig. 6F); frontoparietal (coronal) suture distinctly V-shaped (Fig. 6E); stapedial process of the auditory bulla elongate and pointed, projecting beyond the posterior margin of the alisphenoid (Fig. 9F); median lacerate foramen broad and positioned at a distance from the bulla; M3 with the hypoflexus shallow, forming a lake-like structure; and m2 with a long mesolophid fused to the mesostyle (Fig. 11C).

 

Etymology: Named in honor of Jumandi, a Quijo warrior who led the first indigenous uprising against Spanish conquistadors in the Americas on 29 November 1578 (Santos-Granero, 1992). In recognition of his historical significance, Jumandi was officially declared a National Hero by the Asamblea Nacional del Ecuador in November 2011.

Jorge Brito​, Rocío Vargas, Nicolás Tinoco, Rubí García, Julio C. Carrión-Olmedo, Claudia Koch, Ricarda Wistuba, Carlos Nivelo-Villavicencio and Ulyses F.J. Pardiñas. 2026. Mountains of Diversity: A Systematic Revision of the Andean Rodent Genus Oreoryzomys (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae). PeerJ. 14:e20515. DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20515 [January 9, 2026]

 

[Mammalogy • 2025] Oreoryzomys huancabambensis • Introduction to the Systematics of Oreoryzomys balneator (Rodentia: Cricetidae) with the Description of A New Species from Peruvian montane forests

[B, D] Oreoryzomys huancabambensis sp. nov. Llancachahua-Tarqui, Ruelas, Escobar & Pacheco,  
[A, E] Oreoryzomys balneator  (Thomas, 1900)

in Llancachahua-Tarqui, Ruelas, Escobar et Pacheco Torres, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.15381/rpb.v32i4.31354 

 Researchgate.net/publication/398062542

Abstract

Oreoryzomys is a monotypic genus represented solely by Oreoryzomys balneator and has long been considered enigmatic due to the scarce information available since its description more than a century ago. In this study, we present a systematic revision of O. balneator with an integrative approach, focusing on Peruvian populations. We analyzed 73 specimens using morphological methods, complemented with phylogenetic analyses based on two mitochondrial genes. Our results reveal that the Peruvian populations previously referred as O. balneator represent a new and unnamed species. This species is genetically and morphologically differentiated, and geographically isolated from O. balneator sensu stricto (from Tungurahua Province, the type locality) and from the western Ecuadorian populations of El Oro Province. We formally describe this new species which inhabits montane forests from southeastern Ecuador (Zamora Chinchipe Province) to northeastern Peru (Piura and Cajamarca departments), at elevations between 1520 to 2990 m a.s.l. This work represents the first systematic revision of this genus, providing novel insights into its phylogenetic relationships, distribution, and natural history.

Keywords: Andes, Huancabamba Depression, Oryzomyini, Piura Department, Yungas

External comparisons between Oreoryzomys balneator (AMNH 67569, A, C, E)
and Oreoryzomys huancabambensis sp. nov. (MUSM 10701, B, D, F).

Live specimen of Oreoryzomys huancabambensis sp. nov. (MUSM 55512, holotype) from Habaspite, Carmen de la Frontera, Piura Department. Note the presence of three commensal staphylinid beetles on the head of the specimen.

Photograph taken by Víctor Pacheco.

Oreoryzomys huancabambensis sp. nov.

 A) Panoramic view of the type locality of  Oreoryzomys huancabambensis sp. nov. in Habaspite, Carmen de la Frontera Province, Piura Department, in 2021.
B) Typical habitats within forest patches, and C) low-scale mining activities in the type locality.

Photographs taken by Víctor Pacheco.

 

Daniel Llancachahua-Tarqui, Dennisse Ruelas, Elizabeth Escobar and Víctor Raúl Pacheco Torres. 2025. Introduction to the Systematics of Oreoryzomys balneator (Rodentia; Cricetidae) with the Description of A New Species from Peruvian montane forests. Revista peruana de biología. 32(4): e31354. DOI: doi.org/10.15381/rpb.v32i4.31354 

 Researchgate.net/publication/398062542_Introduction_to_the_Systematics_of_Oreoryzomys_balneator_with_the_description_of_a_new_species_from_Peruvian_montane_forests

[Mammalogy • 2025] Daptomys nunashae • Hidden Diversity in Daptomys (Rodentia: Cricetidae): A New Species from lower montane forests of central Peru

 

Daptomys nunashae

Pacheco, Sánchez-Vendizú, Fajardo, Cossíos & Cadenillas, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5696.4.1 

Abstract

Daptomys Anthony, 1929, comprises at least five species, distributed in lower and premontane Neotropical forests from Venezuela to Bolivia, but its real diversity is likely underestimated. During recent expeditions to Tingo María National Park, Huánuco Department, in central Peru, we collected two specimens of Daptomys in premontane forest, that represent a new lineage. Here, we present an integrative approach combining coalescent phylogenetic analyses (based on cytochrome b and three nuclear gene sequences), along with morphological and morphometric data, to support the recognition of the Huánuco specimens as a new species of Daptomys, which we describe in this paper. The new species can be distinguished from other congeners by a unicolored tail ending in a distinct pencil of white hairs, a very small toothrow, anteriorly expanded nasals, a very short incisive foramina, a long palate with a prominent median process, and a large postglenoid foramen. In addition, the species delimitation methods recovered D. musseri as a valid species which is supported also by morphological and morphometric differentiation and distribution pattern.

Mammalia, Daptomys, Tingo María National Park, Peru

Daptomys nunashae

 

Víctor PACHECO, Pamela SÁNCHEZ-VENDIZÚ, Úrsula FAJARDO, Daniel COSSÍOS and Richard CADENILLAS. 2025. Hidden Diversity in Daptomys (Rodentia: Cricetidae): A New Species from lower montane forests of central Peru.  Zootaxa. 5696(4); 451-481. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5696.4.1 [2025-09-26]

[Mammalogy • 2025] Crunomys tompotika • Systematics and Historical Biogeography of Crunomys and Maxomys (Rodentia: Muridae: Murinae), with the Description of A New Species from Sulawesi and New Genus-level Classification

Crunomys tompotika Achmadi & Fabre

in Giarla, Achmadi, Fabre, Handika, Chipps, Swanson, Nations, Morni, ..., Rowe et Esselstyn, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyaf006    

 facebook.com/AmericanSocietyofMammalogists 

Abstract

Crunomys and Maxomys are closely related murine genera from forested regions of Southeast Asia and western portions of the Indo-Australian Archipelago. Previous phylogenetic analyses suggested that a taxonomic reappraisal is necessary for these genera, but limited taxon sampling prevented formal changes. We produced a mitochondrial DNA dataset that includes 376 individuals representing all 22 recognized species and a nuclear dataset comprising thousands of ultraconserved elements missing only 1 recognized species. Our phylogenetic inferences consistently show that Crunomys is nested within Maxomys. We transfer all Maxomys species to the older genus Crunomys to resolve the paraphyly. We also conducted a morphological analysis of species from Sulawesi and described a new species of Crunomys from the eastern peninsula of the island. We identify 43 geographically defined mitochondrial haplogroups across all species of Crunomys, many of which also are inferred as distinct in a multilocus species delimitation analysis. Historical biogeographic reconstructions consistently inferred multiple dispersal events to and from oceanic islands and among continental shelf islands and mainland Southeast Asia. On both large continental shelf islands like Borneo and large oceanic islands like Sulawesi, in situ divergence produced high levels of diversity.

Indo-Australian Archipelago, overwater dispersal, Philippines, Rattini, rodents, species delimitation, Sulawesi, Sunda Shelf, Wallacea

View of the cranium and dentary of the holotype Crunomys tompotika sp. nov. (MZB36997/FMNH213454) from Mt. Tompotika, Sulawesi.

Crunomys tompotika sp. nov.

Authority. Anang S. Achmadi and Pierre-Henri Fabre

Mount Tompotika Spiny Rat

Etymology: This species is named for its geographical provenance of Mt. Tompotika, a peak near the tip of the eastern peninsula of Sulawesi, used as a noun in apposition.

Distribution and habitat: Known only from Mt. Tompotika in secondary lowland tropical forest, from near sea level to 760 m. Montane forest is almost certainly present near the summit of Mt. Tompotika (1,540 m), but no trapping was undertaken above 760 m. 

Thomas C Giarla, Anang S Achmadi, Pierre-Henri Fabre, Heru Handika, Austin S Chipps, Mark T Swanson, Jonathan A Nations, Muhd Amsyari Morni, Julius William-Dee, Nurul Inayah, Endah Dwijayanti, Muhammad Rizaldi Trias Jaya Putra Nurdin, Kyra E Griffin, Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan, Lawrence R Heaney, Kevin C Rowe and Jacob A Esselstyn. 2025. Systematics and Historical Biogeography of Crunomys and Maxomys (Muridae: Murinae), with the Description of A New Species from Sulawesi and New Genus-level Classification. Journal of Mammalogy. 106(4); 832–858, DOI: doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyaf006 [13 June 2025]

  facebook.com/AmericanSocietyofMammalogists/posts/1163983275767730

[PaleoMammalogy • 2024] Acarechimys hunikuini • A New Late Miocene stem Octodontoid (Rodentia: Caviomorpha: Octochinchilloi) from the Solimões Formation (Brazil): Paleobiogeographic Implications

 

Acarechimys hunikuini

 Fontoura, Boivin, Marivaux, Antoine, Stutz, Negri, Ribeiro & Kerber, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2024.2382822 

www.UFSM.br  x.com/KerberLeonardo

Artwork by Márcio L. Castro

ABSTRACT

Caviomorphs are the neotropical hystricognathous rodents (Ctenohystrica: Hystricognathi: Caviomorpha). Octodontoidea are today the richest and most speciose clade of caviomorphs. Their fossil record also reveals a wide array of extinct species, including Acarechimys, a taxon with a widespread South American distribution and extensive temporal range. This genus comprises at least five species documented in deposits ranging from the late Oligocene to the Middle Miocene. Here, we report the discovery of a new species of Acarechimys from Upper Miocene deposits of the Envira River (PRE06 outcrop), situated in the Acre State, western Brazilian Amazonia. The new species differs from the other species of the genus in having lower molars with a strong posterior arm of the metaconid, the presence of a mesostylid (usually prominent) and a neomesolophid forwardly directed and connected to the metalophulid I on m1 but not on m2–3, and the absence of posterior arm of the protoconid. This taxon represents the youngest known species of the Acarechimys lineage to date. Its occurrence in Western Amazonia strengthens support for the hypothesis that South American rodent lineages survived longer during the Neogene at low latitudes than in the southern regions of the continent.

Acarechimys hunikuini

Emmanuelle Fontoura, Myriam Boivin, Laurent Marivaux, Pierre-Olivier Antoine, Narla S. Stutz, Francisco Ricardo Negri, Ana Maria Ribeiro and Leonardo Kerber. 2024. A New Late Miocene stem Octodontoid (Rodentia: Caviomorpha: Octochinchilloi) from the Solimões Formation (Brazil): Paleobiogeographic Implications. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 44(1); e2382822. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2024.2382822 [23 Aug 2024]

Pesquisadora da UFSM descreve nova espécie de mamífero extinto

Acarechimys hunikuini recebeu esse nome em homenagem a tribo indígena Huni Kuin que vive na região em que o fóssil foi encontrado

https://www.UFSM.br/2024/08/23/pesquisadora-da-ufsm-descreve-nova-especie-de-mamifero-extinto

 x.com/KerberLeonardo/status/1826936584203043251

[Mammalogy • 2025] Apomys veluzi, A. crinitus & A. minor • Three New Species of Philippine forest mice (Mammalia: Muridae: Apomys), members of A Clade endemic to Mindoro Island

A: Apomys gracilirostris Ruedas, 1995; 

B: Apomys veluzi; C: A. crinitus; D: A. minor

Heaney, Balete, M. R. M. Duya, M. V. Duya, Kyriazis, Rickart, Steppan & Rowsey, 2025

  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.1.1 

science.UPD.edu.ph

Abstract

Apomys, a Philippine endemic genus of forest mice, occurs throughout most oceanic portions of the archipelago and is its most speciose mammal genus, with 18 species currently recognized. Recent extensive surveys of mammals on Mindoro Island have produced specimens that document the presence of three genetically and morphologically distinct candidate species of Apomys (subgenus Megapomys) previously unknown. These three, plus one previously described relative from Mindoro, constitute a clade of well-supported, reciprocally monophyletic units based on cytochrome b sequence data, all of which are strongly supported using BPP species delimitation. Data from three nuclear genes show less divergence, but species delimitation analyses are consistent with results from cytochrome b. These four taxa are easily diagnosed on the basis of pelage and cranial morphology. Each of the four species occurs allopatrically, though two occur along a single elevational gradient. In this paper, we formally describe the three new species. We estimate that the common ancestor of the four species arrived on Mindoro from Luzon roughly 4.7 Ma, with initial diversification beginning roughly 2.7 Ma, and increasing to the current four species about 1.3 Ma. The three new species increase the number of mammals currently recognized as endemics on Mindoro from nine to twelve. This is a remarkably high number of endemic mammals from an island of its size, and reflects Mindoro’s status as a geologically old island permanently isolated from other oceanic islands in the Philippines by deep water, while also corroborating Mindoro as the smallest island within which endemic speciation by small mammals is known to have occurred.

Mammalia, Asia, biodiversity, biogeography, diversification, elevation, morphometrics, phylogeny, Rodentia, speciation, surveys

 A: Apomys gracilirostris; B: A. veluzi; C: A. crinitus; D: A. minor

 

Large Mindoro forest mouse, A. gracilirostris Ruedas, 1995

Long-haired forest mouse, A. crinitus

 Small mindoro forest mouse, A. minor

 Veluz's forest mouse, A. veluzi

Lawrence R. HEANEY, Danilo S. BALETE, Mariano Roy M. DUYA, Melizar V. DUYA, Christopher C. KYRIAZIS, Eric A. RICKART, Scott J. STEPPAN and Dakota M. ROWSEY. 2025. Three New Species of Philippine forest mice (Apomys, Muridae, Mammalia), members of A Clade endemic to Mindoro Island. Zootaxa. 5647(1); 1-26. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.1.1 [2025-06-12]

discovery of Philippine forest mice—all belonging to the Apomys genus.

https://science.UPD.edu.ph/up-biologists-help-discover-new-philippine-forest-mice-species-in-mindoro/

[Mammalogy • 2024] Phylogeny, Biogeography, and Integrative Taxonomic Revision of the Afro-Arabian Rodent Genus Ochromyscus (Muridae: Murinae: Praomyini)

 

the Afro-Arabian rodent Genus Ochromyscus (Muridae: Murinae: Praomyini)

in Meheretu, Mikula, Frynta, Frýdlová, Mulualem, Lavrenchenko, Kostin, Elmi, Šumbera et Bryja, 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad158

https://sev-in.ru

Abstract

The analyses of Plio-Pleistocene speciation processes in the Horn of Africa are relevant for understanding the evolution of biodiversity patterns of this understudied part of the world. Here we analyse comprehensive genomic and morphological data of the recently delimited murid genus Ochromyscus, one of the few with Afro-Arabian distribution. Using an integrative taxonomic approach, we delimit three species in the genus: two in eastern Africa (O. brockmani and O. niveiventris) and one in southern Arabia (O. yemeni), and detail their distribution, genetic structure, and evolutionary history. Despite their morphological similarity, the three species split before the Pleistocene, and their interspecific genetic divergence level is comparable to that between sister genera of murine rodents. The split between two taxa living on opposite sides of the Red Sea (O. brockmani vs. O. yemeni) is younger than the separation of their ancestor and O. niveiventris living in eastern Africa. The colonization of Arabia can be explained either by the presence of a relatively recent continental bridge or by the past occurrence of the genus along the eastern coast of the Red Sea and subsequent spreading through the Sinai Peninsula.

ddRAD, Horn of Africa, integrative taxonomy, phylogeography, rodents, Somali-Masai savanna

Ochromyscus brockmani (Thomas, 1906)

Brockman’s white-bellied rocky mouse.

Ochromyscus niveiventris (Osgood, 1910)

Snowy white-bellied rocky mouse. 

The Latin name ‘niveiventris’ means ‘snowy-white-bellied’. 

Because the English genus name is ‘white-bellied rocky mouse’ (Nicolas et al., 2021), we propose to simplify the English name to avoid redundant use of ‘white-bellied’.

Ochromyscus yemeni (Sanborn and Hoogstraal, 1953)

Yemen white-bellied rocky mouse.

Yonas Meheretu, Ondřej Mikula, Daniel Frynta, Petra Frýdlová, Getachew Mulualem, Leonid A Lavrenchenko, Danila S Kostin, Hassan Sh Abdirahman Elmi, Radim Šumbera and Josef Bryja. 2024. Phylogeny, Biogeography, and Integrative Taxonomic Revision of the Afro-Arabian Rodent Genus Ochromyscus (Muridae: Murinae: Praomyini). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 202(1); zlad158. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad158 [04 November 2023]

Study of mammal evolutionary histories sheds light on existence of continental bridge between Africa and Arabian Peninsula  https://sev-in.ru/en/node/4067

  x.com/iee_ras/status/1888935922411999442

[Mammalogy • 2021] Chingawaemys gen. nov., Montemys gen. nov. & Ochromyscus gen. nov. ... • Phylogenomics of African Radiation of Praomyini Rodents (Rodentia: Muridae: Murinae): First fully resolved Phylogeny, Evolutionary History and Delimitation of Extant Genera

 

Chingawaemys Lavrenchenko, Mikula & Bryja, gen. nov. 
Congomys Nicolas & Bryja, gen. nov.
Ochromyscus Nicolas, Mikula & Bryja, gen. nov.

Serengetimys Nicolas & Bryja, gen. nov. 
Montemys Nicolas & Bryja, gen. nov. 

in Nicolas, Mikula, Lavrenchenko, Šumbera, Bartáková, Bryjová, Meheretu, Verheyen, Missoup, Lemmon, Lemmon et Bryja, 2021. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107263 

 

Highlights: 

• Fully resolved phylogeny of a highly diversified group of African mammals using genome-scale data.

• Mechanisms of adaptive radiation in Late Miocene/Early Pliocene.

• Delimitation of monophyletic genera in Praomyini rodents.

• Discovery of a new mammal genus in Ethiopian forests.

Abstract

The tribe Praomyini is a diversified group including 64 species and eight extant rodent genera. They live in a broad spectrum of habitats across whole sub-Saharan Africa. Members of this tribe are often very abundant, they have a key ecological role in ecosystems, they are hosts of many potentially pathogenic microorganisms and comprise numerous agricultural pests. Although this tribe is well supported by both molecular and morphological data, its intergeneric relationships and the species contents of several genera are not yet fully resolved. Recent molecular data suggest that at least three genera in current sense are paraphyletic. However, in these studies the species sampling was sparse and the resolution of relationships among genera was poor, probably due to a fast radiation of the tribe dated to the Miocene and insufficient amount of genetic data. Here we used genomic scale data (395 nuclear loci = 610,965 bp long alignment and mitogenomes = 14,745 bp) and produced the first fully resolved species tree containing most major lineages of the Praomyini tribe (i.e. all but one currently delimited genera and major intrageneric clades). Results of a fossil-based divergence dating analysis suggest that the radiation started during the Messinian stage (ca. 7 Ma) and was likely linked to a fragmentation of the pan-African Miocene forest. Some lineages remained in the rain forests, while many others adapted to a broad spectrum of new open lowland and montane habitats that appeared at the beginning of Pliocene. Our analyses clearly confirmed the presence of three polyphyletic genera (Praomys, Myomyscus and Mastomys). We review current knowledge of these three genera and suggest corresponding taxonomic changes. To keep genera monophyletic, we propose taxonomic re-arrangements and delimit four new genera. Furthermore, we discovered a new highly divergent genetic lineage of Praomyini in southwestern Ethiopia, which is described as a new species and genus.

Graphical abstract

 

Keywords: Late Miocene, Radiation, Anchored phylogenomics, Rodentia, Tropical Africa, Complete mitochondrial DNA, Taxonomy

Praomys Thomas, 1915

Montemys Nicolas & Bryja, gen. nov. 

Type species: Epimys delectorum Thomas, 1910. 

Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 8, 6: 430.

Etymology: The new generic name is a masculine noun composed of Latin “montem” (mountain) and greek “mys” (mouse). Oldfield Thomas described the type species of this genus in 1910 from S Malawi, Mulanje (=Mlanji) Plateau, 5500 ft., and all known populations of the genus are known to live in montane forests of Eastern Africa (Bryja et al., 2014, Carleton and Stanley, 2012).

Species included: Montemys delectorum (Thomas, 1910).

English name: Several names were previously proposed for this species: Delicate Soft-furred Mice, Delectable Soft-furred Mouse, Delicate Praomys and East African Praomys (Wilson et al., 2017). Given that it is no longer included in the genus Praomys and that the term “soft-furred” is usually used for Praomys species, we propose to use the name Delicate Montane Mouse for Montemys delectorum.

Congomys Nicolas & Bryja, gen. nov. 

Type species: Praomys tullbergi lukolelae Hatt, 1934. 

Am. Mus. Novit., 708: 13.

Etymology: The new generic name is a masculine noun composed of “Congo” (geographical name) and “mys” (=mouse). The name acknowledges the Congo Basin, where the two currently known species of this genus are endemic.

Species included: Congomys lukolelae (Hatt, 1934); 

Congomys verschureni (Verheyen & Van der Straeten, 1977).

English names: Several names were previously proposed for C. lukolelae (Lukolela soft-furred mouse, Lukolela Praomys and Lukolela Swamp rat) and C. verschureni (Verschuren’s Praomys or Verschuren Swamp rat) (Wilson et al., 2017). Given that these species are no longer included into the genus Praomys and that the term “soft-furred” is usually used for Praomys species, we propose using the names Lukolela Swamp rat for C. lukolelae and Verschuren’s Swamp rat for C. verschureni.

Myomyscus

 Species included: M. verreauxii (Smith, 1834)

English name: The names Verreaux’s Meadow Mouse, Verreaux’s Myomyscus, Verreaux’s White-footed Rat and White-footed Mouse are commonly used for this species (Wilson et al. 2017). We propose to retain the name Verreaux’s Meadow Mouse for this species.

Ochromyscus Nicolas, Mikula & Bryja, gen. nov. 

Type species: Mus brockmani Thomas, 1906. 

Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 7, 18: 298.

Etymology: The new generic name is a masculine noun composed of “ωχρος” [ochros] (which means “pale” in Greek) and “myscus” (derived from myskos = small mouse, diminutive of mys = mouse). The name acknowledges the typical color of these rodents, which has no bright hue.

 

Species included: Ochromyscus brockmani (Thomas, 1906); 

Ochromyscus yemeni (Sanborn & Hoogstraal, 1953).

English name: We propose the name White-bellied Rocky mouse, because the purely white belly is typical of all species within this genus and they are most abundant in rocky outcrops.

Serengetimys Nicolas & Bryja, gen. nov. 

Type species: Rattus pernanus Kershaw, 1921. 

Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 9, 8: 568.

Etymology: The new generic name is a masculine noun composed of “Serengenti” (geographical name) and “mys” (=mouse). P. S. Kershaw described the type species of this genus in 1921 from Amala (=upper course of Mara) River in southern Kenya. All known records (except an aberrant specimen from Eastern Tanzania and an unconfirmed record from Rwanda) of this monotypic genus are from the so-called Serengeti ecosystem with prevailing grasslands in northern Tanzania and southern Kenya (Van der Straeten, 1999).

Species included: Serengetimys pernanus (Kershaw, 1921).

English name: Dwarf Serengeti mouse. Happold (2013) proposed the English name “Dwarf Multimammate Mouse”, because it was thought that the species belong to the genus Mastomys (“multimammate mice”). However, our first observation of a lactating female from southern Kenya revealed that they have only five pairs of nipples.

Mastomys 

Mastomys angolensis (Bocage, 1890), comb. nov.

Species included: M. angolensis (Bocage, 1890), M. awashensis Lavrenchenko, Likhnova & Baskevich, 1998, M. coucha (Smith, 1834), M. erythroleucus (Temminck, 1853), M. huberti (Wroughton, 1909), M. kollmannspergeri (Petter, 1957), M. natalensis (Smith, 1834), M. shortridgei (St. Leger, 1933)

Chingawaemys Lavrenchenko, Mikula & Bryja, gen. nov. 

Type species: Chingawaemys rarus, 

the new species described below.

Etymology: The new generic name is a masculine noun composed of “Chingawa” (geographical name) and the Greek “mys”, referring to mouse, or rat in this case. The name acknowledges the Chingawa Forest, where the single known species of this genus is endemic.

Chingawaemys rarus Lavrenchenko, Mikula & Bryja, sp. nov.

Etymology: The species name is derived from the Latin word “rarus” – rare (see Ecology).

English name: We propose the vernacular name “Chingawa Forest Rat” for Chingawaemys rarus sp. nov. The name reflects that this rare rodent appears to be endemic to the unique Chingawa Forest.

 

 

Violaine Nicolas, Ondřej Mikula, Leonid A. Lavrenchenko, Radim Šumbera, Veronika Bartáková, Anna Bryjová, Yonas Meheretu, Erik Verheyen, Alain Didier Missoup, Alan R. Lemmon, Emily Moriarty Lemmon and Josef Bryja. 2021. Phylogenomics of African Radiation of Praomyini (Muridae: Murinae) Rodents: First fully resolved Phylogeny, Evolutionary History and Delimitation of Extant Genera. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 163, 107263. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107263 

[Mammalogy • 2025] Coendou vossi • A Review of the Quichua Porcupine Coendou quichua complex (Rodentia: Erethizontidae) with the Description of A New Species from Colombia

 

Coendou vossi 

Ramírez-Chaves, Mazepa, Morales-Martínez, Suárez-Castro, Colmenares-Pinzón, Pulido-Santacruz & Noguera-Urbano, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyae140

x.com/DMMoralesMar

 

Abstract

Coendou quichua is a widely distributed trans-Andean species in Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama. However, analysis of the cytochrome b (Cytb) gene suggests the presence of cryptic diversity. Recent reviews found that morphological variation within this taxon is mainly associated with elevation. Still, mitochondrial divergence values between some populations are similar to those reported between well-diagnosable sister species in the genus. Here, we provide new Cytb sequences from Colombian and Ecuadorian specimens and morphological observations from specimens collected in different natural regions to show that C. quichua is indeed a species complex. Coendou quichua complex contains 3 separate lineages: (i) the typical C. quichua from the Andes of Ecuador; (ii) a sister lineage from the Chocó-Darién ecoregion; and (iii) an undescribed new species from wet and dry forests of the Magdalena inter-Andean valley and the Caribbean regions of Colombia. Based on morphological, ecological niche modeling, and geographical analyses, the lineage from Chocó-Darién in Colombia and Ecuador is here treated as a different species for which the name C. rothschildi is available. The lineage involving samples from the wet and dry forests of the Magdalena inter-Andean Valley and the Caribbean regions represents an unnamed taxon described herein as Coendou vossi sp. nov., endemic to Colombia.

cytochrome b, endemism, geographic variation, inter-Andean valleys, morphometry, South America

Coendou vossi sp. nov.

Héctor E. Ramírez-Chaves, Glib O. Mazepa, Darwin M. Morales-Martínez, Andrés Felipe Suárez-Castro, Javier E. Colmenares-Pinzón, Paola Pulido-Santacruz and Elkin A. Noguera-Urbano. 2025. A Review of the Quichua Porcupine Coendou quichua complex (Rodentia: Erethizontidae) with the Description of A New Species from Colombia. Journal of Mammalogy. gyae140. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyae140

 x.com/DMMoralesMar/status/1876357558664872253

Resumen: Coendou quichua se considera una especie trasandina de amplia distribución que se encuentra en Colombia, Ecuador y Panamá. Sin embargo, análisis del gen citocromo b (Cytb) sugieren la presencia de diversidad críptica. Revisiones recientes encontraron una variación morfológica dentro de este taxón asociada principalmente a la elevación, mientras que los valores de divergencia mitocondrial entre algunas poblaciones son similares a los reportados entre especies hermanas del género. Proporcionamos nuevas secuencias de Cytb de especímenes colombianos y ecuatorianos, así como observaciones morfológicas de especímenes recolectados en diferentes regiones naturales para mostrar que C. quichua es de hecho un complejo de especies. El complejo C. quichua posee tres linajes: (i) el típico C. quichua de los Andes de Ecuador; (ii) un linaje hermano de la ecorregión de Chocó-Darién; y (iii) una nueva especie no descrita de bosques húmedos y secos del valle interandino del Magdalena y la región Caribe de Colombia. Con base en análisis morfológicos, y geográficos, junto a modelos de nicho ecológico, el linaje del Chocó-Darién es tratado como una especie diferente para la cual el nombre C. rothschildi está disponible. De manera similar, el linaje que involucra muestras de los bosques húmedos y secos del Valle interandino del Magdalena y del Caribe representa un taxón sin nombre disponible el cual describimos aquí como Coendou vossi sp. nov., endémico de Colombia.

citocromo b, endemismo, morfometría, valles interandinos, variación geográfica, Sudamérica

[Mammalogy • 2023] Rattus halmaheraensis, R. obiensis, etc. • Review of Moluccan Rattus (Rodentia: Muridae) with Description of Four New Species

 

Rattus obiensis 

R. halmaheraensis

Fabre, Miguez, Holden, Fitriana, Semiadi, Musser & Helgen, 2023

DOI: doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.75.2023.1783 

Researchgate.net/publication/376479879

 

Abstract

Four new species of Rattus are described from the Moluccan islands (Maluku) of Indonesia: Rattus taliabuensis and R. feileri, both from the island of Taliabu, and R. halmaheraensis and R. obiensis from the islands of Halmahera and Obi, respectively. These descriptions are presented as part of a taxonomic review of Moluccan Rattus based on all known specimens in museum collections worldwide. Morphological characters, molecular systematics, and geographical distributions are documented for each of these species. Using both morpho-anatomical and morphometric approaches, we found that the Maluku Islands support Rattus taxa with spiny fur and two distinct morphotypes (1) species with a long tail and short rostrum (R. morotaiensis, R. halmaheraensis, R. obiensis, R. feileri) and (2) species with a short tail and long rostrum (R. taliabuensis, R. feliceus, R. ceramicus, R. elaphinus). Most of the new Moluccan species belong to a clade that includes members of the R. xanthurus species group from Sulawesi and the Australo-Papuan Rattus lineages. Their phylogenetic relationships highlight the role of Wallacea as an important area for diversification of Rattus into the Australo-Papuan region. Finally, the morphologically distinctive taxon Nesoromys ceramicus from Seram was found to be sister species to R. feliceus, and we relegate Nesoromys into the synonymy of the genus Rattus. The close affinities between R. ceramicus and R. feliceus may be an example of in situ island speciation, which has not been observed for small mammals on other Maluku Islands.

Keywords: biodiversity, biogeography, Maluku, molecular systematics, morphology, Murinae, Rattini, Wallacea

 

Dorsal and ventral views of study skins of
(a, d) Rattus feileri sp. nov. (SNSD 11429 holotype);
(b, e) R. elaphinus (AMNH 109322 paratype); and
(c, f) R. taliabuensis sp. nov. (SNSD 11968 holotype).

Scale bar 10 mm. 

Dorsal and ventral views of study skins of
(a, d) Rattus morotaiensis (AM M.7084);
(b, e) R. halmaheraensis sp. nov. (AM M.23652 holotype); and
(c, f) R. obiensis sp. nov. (MZB 38231, holotype).

Scale bars 10 mm.

External appearance (a) of the holotype of Rattus obiensis sp. nov. shortly after capture.
Both fore and hind feet are pictured (b–c and d–e, respectively).

Pierre-Henri Fabre; Roberto Portela Miguez; Mary Ellen Holden; Yuli S. Fitriana; Gono Semiadi; Guy G. Musser and Kristofer M. Helgen. 2023. Review of Moluccan Rattus (Rodentia: Muridae) with Description of Four New Species. Records of the Australian Museum. 75(5): 673–718. DOI: doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.75.2023.1783

 Researchgate.net/publication/376479879_Review_of_Moluccan_Rattus_with_description_of_four_new_species

  x.com/ArloHinckley/status/1735385182361026951 

Abstrak [Bahasa Indonesia]. Empat spesies baru Rattus dideskripsi dari Kepulauan Maluku, yaitu Rattus taliabuensis dan R. feileri dari Pulau Taliabu, R. halmaheraensis dan R. obiensis masing-masing dari Pulau Halmahera dan Pulau Obi. Deskripsi spesies baru tersebut merupakan bagian dari reviu taksonomi Rattus dari Maluku berdasarkan semua spesimen yang ada di seluruh koleksi museum dunia. Selain spesies baru, juga didokumentasikan karakter morfologi, sistematika molekuler dan persebaran geografis Rattus dari Maluku. Dengan menggunakan pendekatan morfo-anatomi dan morfometri, kami menemukan bahwa Maluku memiliki taksa Rattus dengan rambut duri dan dua morfotipe yang berbeda yaitu (1) berekor panjang dan moncong pendek (R. morotaiensis, R. halmaheraensis, R. obiensis, R. feileri) atau (2) berekor pendek dan moncong panjang (R. taliabuensis, R. feliceus, R. ceramicus, R. elaphinus). Semua spesies baru dari Maluku termasuk dalam satu kelompok anggota R. xanthurus-group dari garis keturunan Rattus Sulawesi dan Australo-Papua. Hubungan kekerabatan mereka menunjukkan peran Wallacea sebagai jalur kolonisasi Rattus menuju ke kawasan Australo-Papua. Terakhir, Nesoromys ceramicus dari Seram yang secara morfologis berbeda, diketahui merupakan sister spesies dari R. feliceus. Oleh karena itu, kami mengusulkan agar genus Nesoromys ditempatkan di dalam genus Rattus. Kedekatan antara R. ceramicus dan R. feliceus kemungkinan merupakan contoh dari spesiasi pulau in situ, yang belum pernah diamati pada mamalia kecil di pulau-pulau lain di Maluku