One or two species of the rare Malagasy carnivoran Eupleres (Eupleridae)? New insights from molecular data

Abstract

Members of the genus Eupleres are poorly known insectivorous carnivorans belonging to the family Eupleridae (order Carnivora), which are endemic to Madagascar. Recently, using morphological characters, the two previously recognized subspecies of Eupleres goudotii were raised to the species level, with E. goudotii occurring in the humid forests of the island, largely in the east, and Eupleres major in northwestern dry deciduous forests. Using some of the few museum specimens and fresh tissue samples available for this genus, we assessed differences between these two forms based on the cytochrome b gene. The results show that individuals identified as E. major, based on a combination of morphological characters and collection locality, do not form a monophyletic group, and the level of polymorphism within the genus is not in agreement with the recognition of two species. Additional molecular data, in particular from nuclear markers, are needed to verify these results.

Skull evolution and lineage diversification in endemic Malagasy carnivorans

“…Second, unaccounted speciation of modern euplerids also may lead to underestimation of diversification rates. At least two euplerids— Eupleres goudotii and Salanoia concolor —are thought, though with uncertainty, to each consist of two species (i.e., E. goudotii and E. major and S. concolor and S. durrelli ) [40,41,81]; if valid, this would lead to increased diversification rates, albeit at more crownward tips of the tree. Lastly, euplerid diversification is perhaps better characterized as a continental radiation rather than as an insular radiation.…”

Small carnivorans, museums and zoos

“…These molecular techniques can be applied to museum specimens, so that it is possible to look at the genetics of specimens collected tens to hundreds of years ago to resolve taxonomic issues to benefit species today. For example, two species of Eupleres are often recognized – Eastern falanouc Eupleres goudotii and Western falanouc Eupleres major – but a recent genetic study based on museum specimens has questioned whether two species can be recognized (Veron & Goodman, 2018). These taxonomic revolutions are now fully accepted in current research (e.g.…”

A review of the systematics of small mammalian carnivores

“…Taxonomic revision should be based on a diversity of data, such as morphology, mitochondrial and nuclear data, and distribution; unfortunately, for many species of small carnivores, these data are scarce (see e.g. Veron & Goodman, 2018). However, several recent phylogeographical studies have provided insights into the history of geographical lineages, and have also been helpful in the delineation of small carnivore species; for example, Small Indian mongoose Urva auropunctata and Javan mongoose Urva javanica (Veron et al ., 2007; Veron & Jennings, 2017), White‐nosed coati Nasua narica (Nigenda‐Morales et al ., 2019) and see below.…”

“…This species included two subspecies – Eupleres goudotii goudotii , found in eastern Madagascar, and Eupleres goudotii major , localized in the north west of the island – that were raised to species level by Goodman & Helgen (2010) based on their morphology and distribution. Using genetic data, mainly from museum specimens, Veron & Goodman (2018) did not find any genetic structure within the genus, and thus suggested that this genus includes only one species – E. goudotii .…”

“…Based on recent studies, it appears that all seven genera of Malagasy carnivorans are monotypic (Veron, Dupré et al ., 2017; Veron & Goodman, 2018; Goodman & Veron, 2018).…”