Reassessment of the taxonomic status of Craseomys and three controversial species of Myodes and Alticola (Rodentia: Arvicolinae)

• DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4429.1.1
• Publication Date: 2018-06-05T01:34:17Z
• Authors: MING KUN TANG; WEI JIN; YING TANG; CHAO CHAO YAN; ROBERT W. MURPHY; ZHI YU SUN; XIU YUE ZHANG; TAO ZENG; RUI LIAO; QUAN FEN HOU; BI SONG YUE; SHAO YING LIU
• Keywords: Subspecies; Arvicolinae; Maximum parsimony; Molecular Phylogenetics

The genera Myodes (red-backed voles) and Alticola (mountain appear to be sister taxa based on morphological similarities, but molecular analyses fail resolve them as monophyletic owing the uncertain taxonomic status of Craseomys Phaulomys. As a result incomplete sampling related specimens, ongoing controversies positions several generic specific necessitate further clarifications. Herein, we combined molecular, morphometric, geometric morphometric approaches analyze 217 specimens 10 systematically. We sequenced three genes (Cytb, COI, GHR) de novo from with fresh tissues, published sequences for M. shanseius A. stoliczkanus first time. Based this new dataset, produced phylogenetic trees using Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood, parsimony approaches. Our both identified primary clades within Alticola. Craseomys–Phaulomys clade consistently separated sensu stricto (s. str.) s. str.–Platycranius. results support resurrection genus treatment Phaulomys its junior synonym. clustered C. rufocanus in gene phylogenies assessment was congruent results, assigned subspecies rufocanus. Specimens one site Pulan County Tibet possess M3 patterns typical stracheyi, despite clustering together matrilineal genealogy. Thus, tentatively stracheyi synonym stoliczkanus. confirmed validity semicanus unambiguously distinguished it argentatus by ratio tail length head–body length, color feet, pattern, distribution.