A new species of tree hyrax (Procaviidae:Dendrohyrax) from West Africa and the significance of the Niger–Volta interfluvium in mammalian biogeography

Abstract

Tree hyraxes (Dendrohyrax) are one of only three genera currently recognized in Procaviidae, the only extant family in the mammalian order Hyracoidea. Their taxonomy and natural history have received little attention in recent decades. All tree hyrax populations of Guineo-Congolian forests of Africa are currently treated as a single species, Dendrohyrax dorsalis, the western tree hyrax, but many other groups of mammals distributed across this large biome have been shown to consist of several different species, each restricted to a distinct biogeographical region. We analysed variation in loud-call structure, pelage colour, skull morphometrics and mitochondrial genomes in populations across much of the range of D. dorsalis. This integrative approach uncovered considerable cryptic variation. The population found between the Niger and Volta Rivers in West Africa is particularly distinctive, and we describe it herein as a new species. Our study highlights the need to revise the taxonomy of the genus Dendrohyrax in light of modern systematics and current understanding of its distribution. It also adds to a growing body of evidence that the Niger–Volta interfluvium has a distinct meso-mammal fauna. Unfortunately, the fauna of this region is under major threat and warrants much greater conservation attention.

Habitat preferences, estimated abundance and behavior of tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax sp.) in fragmented montane forests of Taita Hills, Kenya

“…Most human-modified landscapes consist of a mosaic of environments with different degrees of suitability for the existence and composition of species 43 . Dendrohyrax validus is currently classified as Near Threatened (NT) by the IUCN 44 , but knowledge about tree hyraxes in general is still very limited, including their taxonomic diversity 8 , 10 , 12 .…”

“…1 ). Across Africa, four species, western tree hyrax D. dorsalis , eastern tree hyrax D. validus , southern tree hyrax D. arboreus , and Benin tree hyrax D. interfluvialis , are currently recognized; however, additional undescribed species probably await scientific discovery 8 – 12 . Previously the Taita Hills tree hyraxes were supposed to represent eastern tree hyrax D. validus 13 .…”

Assessing the wildlife trade in western Africa through the prism of functional diversity: a comparative study between two types of wildlife markets from southern Benin

“…Four taxa from both markets could not be genetically identi ed to the species level, including an antelope (Kobus), a scalytailed squirrel (Anomalurus), an African striped squirrel (Funisciurus) and a sun squirrel (Heliosciurus). Because cryptic diversity is likely at stake in several groups of small to medium-sized mammals in tropical Africa and notably in the Dahomey Gap (e.g., Colyn et al, 2010;Gaubert et al, 2016;Oates et al, 2022), further investigations will have to be conducted to decipher whether those represent new taxa or yet unrepresented species in public databases. Domestic species can also be part of the species spectrum sold on wildlife markets in the tropics (Karesh et al, 2005).…”

Species identity and behavior of cave‐dwelling tree hyraxes of the Kenyan coast

“…Recently, a fourth species, the Benin tree hyrax D. interfluvialis, was described from West Africa (Bearder et al, 2015;Oates et al, 2022).…”

“…Tree hyraxes use woody climbers for moving between trees, and dense growths of tangled lianas provide hideouts for the animals (Allen & Loveridge, 1927 ; Kingdon, 1971 ; Rosti et al, 2022 ). Tree hyraxes are vocally very active, and their acoustic communication can be used to distinguish between different species (Hoeck et al, 2014 ; Oates et al, 2022 ; Roberts, 1999 , 2001 ; Rosti et al, 2020 ). Previously, tree hyraxes have been thought to be solitary (Kundaeli, 1976 ), but recent findings from the Taita Hills in Kenya suggest that they can be highly social (Rosti et al, 2022 ).…”