Open AccessPhylogenetic and morphological significance of an overlooked flying squirrel (Pteromyini, Rodentia) from the eastern Himalayas with the description of a new genus
Author(s) -
Quan Li,
Feng Cheng,
Stephen Jackson,
Kristofer M. Helgen,
WenYu Song,
Shaoying Liu,
Daosavanh Sanamxay,
Li Song,
Fēi Li,
Yun Xiong,
Jun Sun,
Hongjiao Wang,
Xuelong Jiang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
zoological research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 19
ISSN - 2095-8137
DOI - 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2021.039
Subject(s) - taxon , phylogenetic tree , biology , zoology , genus , phylogenetics , evolutionary biology , ecology , gene , genetics
The flying squirrels (Pteromyini, Rodentia) are the most diverse and widely distributed group of gliding mammals. Taxonomic boundaries and relationships within flying squirrels remain an area of active research in mammalogy. The discovery of new specimens of Pteromys ( Hylopetes ) leonardi Thomas, 1921 previously considered a synonym of Hylopetes alboniger , in Yunnan Province, China allowed a morphological and genetic reassessment of the status of this taxon. Phylogenetic reconstruction was implemented using sequences of two mitochondrial (12S ribosomal DNA and 16S ribosomal DNA) and one nuclear (interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein) gene fragments. Morphological assessments involved examinations of features preserved on skins, skulls, and penises of museum specimens, supplemented with principal component analysis of craniometric data. Together these assessments revealed that this taxon should be recognized not only as a distinct species, and should also be placed within a new genus, described here as Priapomys .