List of mammals described in the 2000s

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Although the mammals are well studied in comparison to other animal groups, new species are still being discovered. This list includes extant mammal species discovered, formally named, or brought to public light in 2000 or later. Notable subspecies are also included, as are mammals rediscovered after being declared, or seriously suspected to be, extinct.

Contents

Newly discovered fossils are not included.

Marsupials

At least five new species of marsupials have been discovered since 2000:

Elephants

In 2001, genetic evidence emerged that the African elephant (Loxodonta africana), once thought to be a single species, was in fact two, as the smaller African forest elephant was in fact a distinct species (Loxodonta cyclotis). L. africana is now commonly referred to as the African bush elephant. [1] Strictly speaking, this is not a newly discovered species, but simply an alternative taxonomic treatment, as cyclotis was already recognized, but only as a subspecies.

Sloths

The pygmy three-toed sloth (Bradypus pygmaeus) was named in 2001, after its discovery in the mangrove swamps of Isla Escudo de Veraguas, a tiny island off the western coast of Panama. They weigh 40% less than mainland sloths, are 20% smaller, and have a distinctive fringe of long hair. [2]

Primates

Since 2000, at least 25 new species of primate have been described—16 lemurs and 9 monkeys, including the golden palace monkey or Madidi titi, named by auction.

Lagomorphs

Three species of lagomorph have been described in the 21st century: the black pika (Ochotona nigritia), the Venezuelan lowland rabbit (Sylvilagus varynaensis), and the Annamite striped rabbit (Nesolagus timminsi).

Rodents

A number of rodents are described each year. Notable among those described since 2000 are the Cypriot mouse (Mus cypriacus), and the Laotian rock rat (Laonastes aenigmamus), which represents a family, Diatomyidae, thought to be extinct since the Miocene, and has been described as a living fossil.

Bats

At least 30 new bat species have been described since 2000. The new species were found in Africa, Latin America, Asia, Oceania, and Europe.

Even-toed ungulates

Since 2000, several new species of cetartiodactyl have been described, including three aquatic species (the Australian snubfin dolphin, Perrin's beaked whale, and Omura's whale) and two terrestrial ungulates (Roosevelt's muntjac and the yellow-striped chevrotain). Additionally, the northern right whale, previously considered a single species, was proposed to consist of a Pacific and an Atlantic species.

Carnivorans

Several new subspecies of previously known species were described. Additionally, an alternative taxonomic treatment of the clouded leopard was proposed, in which the taxon diardi, previously considered a subspecies of Neofelis nebulosa , was proposed a separate species, the Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi). In 2013, the olinguito, living in the Andean cloud forest, was determined to be a distinct species. It had previously been categorized as a small olingo.

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Neofelis</i> Genus of carnivores

Neofelis is a genus comprising two extant cat species in Southeast Asia: the clouded leopard of mainland Asia, and the Sunda clouded leopard of Sumatra and Borneo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African forest elephant</span> African elephant species

The African forest elephant is one of the two living species of African elephant. It is native to humid tropical forests in West Africa and the Congo Basin. It is the smallest of the three living elephant species, reaching a shoulder height of 2.4 m. As with other African elephants, both sexes have straight, down-pointing tusks, which begin to grow once the animals reach 1–3 years old. The forest elephant lives in highly sociable family groups of up to 20 individuals. Since they forage primarily on leaves, seeds, fruit, and tree bark, they have often been referred to as the 'megagardener of the forest'; the species is one of many that contributes significantly to maintaining the composition, diversity and structure of the Guinean Forests of West Africa and the Congolese rainforests. Seeds of various plants will go through the elephant’s digestive tract and eventually pass through in the animal’s droppings, thus helping to maintain the spread and biodiversity of the forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunda clouded leopard</span> Species of carnivore

The Sunda clouded leopard is a medium-sized wild cat native to Borneo and Sumatra. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2015, as the total effective population probably consists of fewer than 10,000 mature individuals, with a decreasing population trend. On both Sunda Islands, it is threatened by deforestation. It was classified as a separate species, distinct from the clouded leopard in mainland Southeast Asia based on a study in 2006. Its fur is darker with a smaller cloud pattern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bornean clouded leopard</span> Subspecies of Sunda clouded leopard

The Bornean clouded leopard is a subspecies of the Sunda clouded leopard. It is native to the island of Borneo, and differs from the Batu-Sumatran clouded leopard in the shape and frequency of spots, as well as in cranio-mandibular and dental characters. In 2017, the Cat Classification Taskforce of the Cat Specialist Group recognized the validity of this subspecies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North African elephant</span> Extinct subspecies of elephant

The North African elephant is an extinct subspecies of the African bush elephant, or possibly a separate elephant species, that existed in North Africa, north of the Sahara, until it died out in Roman times. These were the famous war elephants used by Carthage in the Punic Wars, their conflict with the Roman Republic. Although the subspecies has been formally described, it has not been widely recognized by taxonomists. Other names for this animal include the North African forest elephant, Carthaginian elephant, and Atlas elephant. Originally, its natural range probably extended across North Africa and down to the present Sudanese and Eritrean coasts.

References

  1. Alex Kirby (2001-08-23). "African elephant 'is two species'". BBC News.
  2. Karl Shuker (2001). "Little Slow-foot". Fortean Times . 153: 21.