Publication
Title
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)
Author
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.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Zootaxa. - Auckland [Nouvelle-Zélande]
Publication
Auckland [Nouvelle-Zélande] : Magnolia Press , 2011
ISSN
1175-5326
Volume/pages
3059 (2011) , p. 1-35
ISI
000295924800001
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 19.10.2011
Last edited 15.11.2022
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