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Talmale S S, Shabnam A, Palot M J, Subramanian K A, Dinesh K P. Phylogenetic position of Malabar Spiny Tree Mouse (Platacanthomys lasiurus Blyth, 1859) (Rodentia) and resurrection of the family Typhlomyidae. JAD 2024; 6 (3)
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Phylogenetic position of Malabar Spiny Tree Mouse (Platacanthomys lasiurus Blyth, 1859) (Rodentia) and resurrection of the family Typhlomyidae

Shyamkant Sukhadeorao Talmale

¹, A. Shabnam²

, Muhamed Jafer Palot²

, Kumarapuram Apadodharanan Subramanian³

, K. P. Dinesh²

1- Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Western Regional Centre (WRC), Pune—411044, India , s_talmale@yahoo.co.in
2- Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Western Regional Centre (WRC), Pune—411044, India
3- Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Southern Regional Centre (SRC), Chennai-600 028, India

Abstract: (219 Views)

The family Platacanthomyidae was established in 1876 to include Platacanthomys lasiurus Blyth, 1859 from the Western Ghats. Subsequent studies incorporated the genus Typhlomys Milne-Edwards, 1877 into this family. In 1947, Ognev assigned Typhlomys to a separate subfamily, Typhlomyinae. Phylogenetic studies aimed at exploring evolutionary relationships within Platacanthomyidae began in 2009 but, without suitable data for Platacanthomys due to lack of fresh tissue samples. The present study aims to reassess the taxonomic placement of the genera Typhlomys and Platacanthomys within Platacanthomyidae with an Integrative Taxonomic Approach (ITA). Based on our phylogenetic analyses and other evidence, we propose elevating the subfamily Typhlomyinae to family status Typhlomyidae for the genus Typhlomys. We discuss the phylogenetic positions of Platacanthomyidae and Typhlomyidae within the larger Muroidea tree. Earlier studies indicated the divergence of members of Typhlomys in the late Miocene. Our preliminary ultrametric tree indicates that the Western Ghats endemic Platacanthomys diverged during Eocene period, exposing this monotypic genus as an ancient relict.

Keywords: Platacanthomyidae, relict species, refugia, Spiny tree mouse, Typhlomyidae, Western Ghats

Type of Study: Original Research Article | Subject: Molecular Diversity
Received: 2024/08/9 | Accepted: 2024/09/28

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