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Type: Article
Published: 2021-03-19
Page range: 245–260
Abstract views: 250
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A new subspecies of giant sengi (Macroscelidea: Rhynchocyon) from coastal Kenya

Zoology Department, National Museums of Kenya, Museum Hill road, P.O. Box 40658 Nairobi, Kenya (BRA).
Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy (FR). Tropical Biodiversity Section, MUSE – Museo delle Scienze, Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza 3, 38122 Trento, Italy.
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati OH 45221, USA (LL) . Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago IL 60605, USA.
Department of Sustainable Ecosystems and Bioresources, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via Edmund Mach 1, 38010 Mach-San Michele all’Adige, Trento, Italy (CV).
Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London, England NW1 4RY, London, United Kingdom (RA).
Macroscelidea Boni-Dodori National Reserves camera traps elephant-shrew Macroscelididae molecular phylogenetics Rhynchocyon chrysopygus mandelai

Abstract

A new subspecies of giant sengi or elephant-shrew, first documented in 2008, is described from northern coastal Kenya. All five currently described species and most known subspecies of Rhynchocyon are compared to this new lineage. Molecular analyses using mitochondrial and nuclear markers from the single DNA sample available for the new lineage show differences from other forms and reveal a close relationship with the allopatric golden-rumped sengi R. chrysopygus (0.43% divergence at the 12S mitochondrial locus). This level of 12S divergence is similar to that between other subspecies pairs within Rhynchocyon. Based on three voucher specimens and 843 images from camera traps, the new lineage is similar to R. chrysopygus in the rufous-maroon sides and shoulders but is distinguished by the lack of the golden rump, the presence of jet-black distal rump and thighs, dark dorsal line, and a pronounced nuchal crest of hairs. Though it also shows superficial pelage similarities to two Tanzania species, R. udzungwensis and the dark coastal form of R. cirnei macrurus, the new form has differences in pelage coloration that are clearly diagnosable from all other taxa. This new lineage has an allopatric distribution to all known Rhynchocyon taxa, with the closest congener being R. chrysopygus located 140 km apart. We estimate a potential range size for the new taxon of ~1980 km2 in the Boni and Dodori National Reserves with habitat consisting of mixed thickets and dry forests. Because of its close genetic relationship with R. chrysopygus, its allopatric distribution, and divergent coloration, the new subspecies is designated Rhynchocyon chrysopygus mandelai. The previously described populations of R. chrysopygus from southern coastal Kenya are now designated R. chrysopygus chrysopygus. As the current severe political insecurity in the area threatens the new taxon, we hope that its description will help establish immediate conservation priorities and action for the subspecies and its habitat.

 

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