Systematics of the genus Mastomys (Thomas, 1915) (Rodentia: Muridae). A review

An update of the systematics of the genus Mastomys is presented, based on a bibliographical analysis and recent results obtained in various fields. Seven species are considered, namely Mastomys erythroleucus, Mastomys coucha, Mastomys shortridgei, Mastomys natalensis, Mastomys huberti, Mastomys pern...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBelgian journal of zoology Vol. 127
Main Authors Granjon, L. (Museum national d'histoire naturelle, Paris (France). Lab. de zoologie, mammiferes et oiseaux), Duplantier, J.M, Catalan, J, Britton-Davidian, J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published 01.10.1997
Subjects
AFRICA
AFRIQUE
CHROMOSOME NUMBER
DISTRIBUCION GEOGRAFICA
DISTRIBUTION GEOGRAPHIQUE
FILOGENIA
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
IDENTIFICACION
IDENTIFICATION
NOMBRE CHROMOSOMIQUE
NUMERO DE CROMOSOMAS
PHYLOGENIE
PHYLOGENY
RODENTIA
TAXONOMIA
TAXONOMIE
TAXONOMY
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Summary:An update of the systematics of the genus Mastomys is presented, based on a bibliographical analysis and recent results obtained in various fields. Seven species are considered, namely Mastomys erythroleucus, Mastomys coucha, Mastomys shortridgei, Mastomys natalensis, Mastomys huberti, Mastomys pernanus and Mastomys verheyeni. Mastomys hildebrandtii, listed by some authors, is considered here as species inquirenda, due to insufficient evidence. The main characteristics of these species are described, with special emphasis on the karyotype, which appears to be an especially informative, species-specific character in the genus. The known distribution of each species is mapped, and the various intrageneric phylogenetic hypotheses are presented. The difficulties that remain in this group are listed, together with some directions in which further research should be carried on.
Bibliography:L60
1998001042
ISSN:0777-6276