A new subspecies of giant sengi (Macroscelidea: Rhynchocyon) from coastal Kenya

A new subspecies of giant sengi or elephant-shrew, first documented in 2008, is described from northern coastal Kenya. All five currently described species and most known subspecies of Rhynchocyon are compared to this new lineage. Molecular analyses using mitochondrial and nuclear markers from the single DNA sample available for the new lineage show differences from other forms and reveal a close relationship with the allopatric golden-rumped sengi R. chrysopygus (0.43% divergence at the 12S mitochondrial locus). This level of 12S divergence is similar to that between other subspecies pairs within Rhynchocyon. Based on three voucher specimens and 843 images from camera traps, the new lineage is similar to R. chrysopygus in the rufous-maroon sides and shoulders but is distinguished by the lack of the golden rump, the presence of jet-black distal rump and thighs, dark dorsal line, and a pronounced nuchal crest of hairs. Though it also shows superficial pelage similarities to two Tanzania species, R. udzungwensis and the dark coastal form of R. cirnei macrurus, the new form has differences in pelage coloration that are clearly diagnosable from all other taxa. This new lineage has an allopatric distribution to all known Rhynchocyon taxa, with the closest congener being R. chrysopygus located 140 km apart. We estimate a potential range size for the new taxon of ~1980 km2 in the Boni and Dodori National Reserves with habitat consisting of mixed thickets and dry forests. Because of its close genetic relationship with R. chrysopygus, its allopatric distribution, and divergent coloration, the new subspecies is designated Rhynchocyon chrysopygus mandelai. The previously described populations of R. chrysopygus from southern coastal Kenya are now designated R. chrysopygus chrysopygus. As the current severe political insecurity in the area threatens the new taxon, we hope that its description will help establish immediate conservation priorities and action for the subspecies and its habitat.

New larval host records and locality data for Nuttalliella namaqua Bedford, 1931 (Acari: Nuttalliellidae)

New larval hosts and locality data of an enigmatic tick, Nuttalliella namaqua Bedford, 1931 (Acari: Nuttalliellidae) are recorded. Most of the discovered larvae were found on various species of murid rodents (Rodentia: Muridae), while few larvae were collected on a petromurid rodent (Rodentia: Petromuridae), canid (Carnivora: Canidae), hares (Lagomorpha: Leporidae) and elephant shrew (Macroscelidea: Macroscelididae). Eight species of hosts are new host records for larvae of N. namaqua. This tick species is recorded for the first time from Botswana and Mozambique as well as from new localities in Namibia and South Africa.

New records of a lost species and a geographic range expansion for sengis in the Horn of Africa

The Somali Sengi or Somali Elephant-shrew (‘Elephantulus’ revoilii, Macroscelidea, Mammalia) has been considered a “lost species” and is primarily known from about 39 museum specimens, with no new vouchered occurrence records since the early 1970s. The scientific literature contains no data concerning living Somali Sengi individuals and the species’ current Data Deficient conservation status is attributable to an absence of modern information. Almost everything that has been published about the species is derived from anatomical examinations of historic specimens, gleaned from museum collection notes, or inferred from the known habits and ecology of other sengi taxa. Here we report new evidence that the Somali Sengi is currently extant. These data include voucher specimens, georeferenced occurrence localities, body measurements, habitat parameters, and DNA sequences. While the species is historically documented as endemic to Somalia, these new records are from the neighboring Republic of Djibouti and thus expand the Somali Sengi’s known range in the Horn of Africa. Furthermore, Djiboutian locality data near international borders suggests that the Somali Sengi is also a current inhabitant of both Somalia and Ethiopia. Criteria that inform conservation status assessments (e.g., suitable habitat contiguity and occurrence in wildlife protected areas) can be positively characterized in Djibouti and therefore bode well for the survival of the Somali Sengi species. New data also inform previously undocumented substrate and sheltering affiliations. DNA analyses indicate that the Somali Sengi is a descendant of the Macroscelidini lineage and therefore reveal that the species’ referral to the genus Elephantulus is incompatible with sengi phylogeny. This taxonomic issue is resolved by recognizing a new genus replacement and recombinant binomial that redesignates the Somali Sengi as Galegeeska revoilii (gen. nov., nov. comb). An analysis of ancestral biogeography suggests that the Somali Sengi has inhabited the Horn of Africa for more than 5.4 million years—and the recognition of the species’ phylogenetic ancestry appends the already remarkable biogeographic story of the Macroscelidini tribe.

Convergent spectral shifts to blue-green vision in mammals extends the known sensitivity of vertebrate M/LWS pigments

Daylight vision in most mammals is mediated predominantly by a middle/long wavelength-sensitive (M/LWS) pigment. Although spectral sensitivity and associated shifts in M/LWS are mainly determined by five critical sites, predicted phenotypic variation is rarely validated, and its ecological significance is unclear. We experimentally determine spectral tuning of M/LWS pigments and show that two highly divergent taxa, the gerbil and the elephant-shrew, have undergone independent dramatic blue-green shifts to 490 nm. By generating mutant proteins, we identify additional critical sites contributing to these shifts. Our results, which extend the known range of spectral tuning of vertebrate M/LWS, provide a compelling case of functional convergence, likely related to parallel adaptive shifts from nocturnal to brighter light conditions in similar habitats.

Characteristics of the endometrium in menstruating species: lessons learned from the animal kingdom†

Here we have summarized what is currently known about menstruating animal species with special emphasis on non-primate species: length of their menstrual cycle, ovulation, implantation, placentation, decidualization, and endometrial characteristics. Having an overview of all the possible animal models that can be used to study menstruation and the menstrual cycle could be useful to select the one that better matches the needs of the individual research projects. The most promising species to study menstruation seems to be the spiny mouse Acomys cahirinus. It is a rodent that could be easily held in the existing laboratory facilities for rats and mice but with the great advantage of having spontaneous menstruation and several human-like menstrual cycle characteristics. Among the species of menstruating bats, the black mastiff bat Molossus ater and wild fulvous fruit bat Rousettus leschenaultii are the ones presenting the most human-like characteristics. The elephant shrew seems to be the less suitable species among the ones analyzed. The induced mouse model of menstruation is also presented as an adaptable alternative to study menstruation.

A missing piece: the spiny mouse and the puzzle of menstruating species

We recently discovered the first known menstruating rodent. With the exception of four bats and the elephant shrew, the common spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) is the only species outside the primate order to exhibit menses. There are few widely accepted theories on why menstruation developed as the preferred reproductive strategy of these select mammals, all of which reference the evolution of spontaneous decidualisation prior to menstrual shedding. Though menstruating species share several reproductive traits, there has been no identifiable feature unique to menstruating species. Such a feature might suggest why spontaneous decidualisation, and thus menstruation, evolved in these species. We propose that a ≥3-fold increase in progesterone during the luteal phase of the reproductive cycle is a unique characteristic linking menstruating species. We discuss spontaneous decidualisation as a consequence of high progesterone, and the potential role of prolactin in screening for defective embryos in these species to aid in minimising implantation of abnormal embryos. We further explore the possible impact of nutrition in selecting species to undergo spontaneous decidualisation and subsequent menstruation. We summarise the current knowledge of menstruation, discuss current pre-clinical models of menstruation and how the spiny mouse may benefit advancing our understanding of this rare biological phenomenon.

African chiggers (Acariformes: Trombiculidae) in the collection of Alex Fain, with a description of a new genus and three new species

A series of African chigger mites from the collection donated by Alex Fain (1912-2009) to the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences is revised. One new genus and species, Makwacarus petrodromi n. gen., n. sp. from an elephant shrew Petrodromus tetradactylus tordayi Thomas and two new species, Herpetacarus junkeri n. sp. from a snake Boaedon fuliginosus (Boie) and Microtrombicula livingstonei n. sp. from a lizard Holaspis guentheri Gray, are described from DR Congo. One new subjective synonym is proposed: Schoutedenichia musaranei Taufflieb, 1966 (= Schoutedenichia tanzaniaensis Goff, 1983, n. syn). Nineteen species have been recorded in new countries and/or on new hosts for the first time. Nine of them have been found outside their type localities for the first time. In total, the examined collection now includes 27 species belonging to 14 genera and collected from rodents, bats, tenrecs, elephant shrews, primates, birds, lizards and snakes of DR Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and South Africa