Investigations into the status of a new taxon of Salanoia (Mammalia: Carnivora: Eupleridae) from the marshes of Lac Alaotra, Madagascar

Abstract

Evidence is presented from morphological observations, multivariate and molecular analyses on the taxonomic status of specimens of Salanoia newly discovered at Lac Alaotra, Madagascar, which resemble but are phenotypically highly divergent from the monotypic species S. concolor. A detailed comparative description is provided, together with information on the ecology of the region. Principal Component and Canonical Variate Analyses of craniodental morphometrics revealed high divergence supporting the status of a new species. Conversely, genetic distances from S. concolor based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b locus are small, not supporting new species status. A literature review indicates that some accepted species also exhibit low genetic distances at cytochrome b, which might be caused by rapid recent evolution, hybridization or introgression of mtDNA between lineages that otherwise might be genetically more distinct. Conflicting information from the analyses is discussed. Adaptation to highly divergent habitats might account for phenotypic plasticity, but the observed morphological difference is sufficiently great that the formal description as a new species is warranted. The biodiversity of Lac Alaotra and the importance of conservation issues are highlighted in relation to this discovery.

Key words:

• Carnivora
• conservation
• cytochrome b
• euplerid
• Madagascar
• molecular analysis
• morphology
• multivariate analyses

Acknowledgements

We are indebted to the Ministère de l'Environnement, des Eaux et Fôrets, of the Government of Madagascar. The research was conducted under the capture and research permits number 50 (for 2004) and number 70 and the export permit number 21 (for 2005), issued by the Direction General des Eaux et Fôrets, Repoblikan'l Madagasikara. We thank the following curators for their generous access to material in their collections, information and advice: Robert Asher (formerly) and Frieder Mayer, Department of Mammalogy, Museum für Naturkunde, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin; Jacques Cuisin and Marie-José Portas, Mammifères et Oiseaux, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris; Hein van Grouw, Naturalis, Leiden; Darrin Lunde, Department of Mammalogy, American Museum of Natural History, New York. We are grateful to Robert Bourou, Richard Rasolonjatovo, Randriambola, André Rakotonierana and Rabearimanana for their assistance with trapping. Thanks to Luke Dollar, Department of Ecology, Duke University for information on Salanoia. We thank NHM staff Louise Tomsett, Mammal Group, for specimen preparation, and Phil Crabb and Pat Hart, Photographic Unit, for photography of the specimens. Constructive criticism by William Duckworth, Wildlife Conservation Society, Steven Goodman, Field Museum, Chicago and two other anonymous reviewers proved most helpful.