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Type: Articles
Published: 2011-10-14
Page range: 1–35
Abstract views: 63
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Contribution to the systematics and zoogeography of the East-African Acomys spinosissimus Peters 1852 species complex and the description of two new species (Rodentia: Muridae)

University of Antwerp, Biology Department, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
University of Antwerp, Biology Department, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
Royal Museum for Central Africa, Department African Zoology, Vertebrate section, Leuvense steenweg 13, B-3030 Tervuren, Belgium
University of Antwerp, Biology Department, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
Universita di Roma “La Sapienza, Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e dell’Uomo, Via Borelli 50, 00161, Roma, Italy
University of Antwerp, Biology Department, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vertebrate Department, Vautierstraat 29, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
University of Antwerp, Biology Department, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vertebrate Department, Vautierstraat 29, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Mammalia Acomys spinosissimus taxonomy cytochrome b craniometry morphology enzymes

Abstract

We revised the taxonomic status of the putative Acomys spinosissimus complex based on the comparative study of specimen collections from Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, DR Congo and South Africa, by means of analysis of external morphology, craniometry, enzymes, mitochondrial DNA sequences and karyology. Our results confirm that A. spinosissimus represents a complex of species with seemingly non-overlapping distribution ranges. The distribution range of A. spinosissimus appears to be restricted between the Zambesi and Limpopo Rivers, while the reinstated A. selousi (that includes A. transvaalensis) occurs further to the South (i.e. northern limit seemingly just north of the Limpopo River). The investigated populations north of the Zambezi River are morphologically and genetically distinct from A. spinosissimus and A. selousi. Based on this evidence, we described Acomys muzei sp. nov. and Acomys ngurui sp. nov., each one occurring separately along one side of the Eastern Arc Mountains. Finally, we lacked sufficient information to describe a third new species from the area north of the Zambesi River.

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