Saturday, December 17, 2011

SOME RECENT PAPERS OF INTEREST (Via Chad Arment)

Multiple lines of evidence for an Australasian geographic boundary in the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis): population or species divergence?

C. H. Frère, J. Seddon, C. Palmer, L. Porter and G. J. Parra
Conservation Genetics, Volume 12, Number 6

Abstract: The taxonomic status of humpback dolphins (genus Sousa, sub-family Delphininae) is unresolved. While the classification of this genus ranges from a single to three nominal species, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the International Whaling Commission only recognise a 'two-species' taxonomy (S. teuszii in west Africa, and S. chinensis in the Indo-Pacific). Under the IUCN (2008), S. chinensis is listed as 'near threatened', but is only considered as a 'migratory' species in Australia. Taxonomic resolution of the genus Sousa is needed to define particular conservation status and develop appropriate management actions. Using phylogenetic analyses of 1,082 bp of mitochondrial and 1,916 bp of nuclear DNA, we provide multiple lines of genetic evidence for the genetic distinction of S. chinensis in China and Indonesia from S. chinensis in Australia. The separation of Australian Sousa from Sousa of Southeast Asia requires a review of their current conservation status and respective management actions.

Full PDF can be downloaded at:
http://www.springerlink.com/content/7532157124gg5128/

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Reassessment of the occurrence of the kinkajou (Potos flavus Schreber, 1774) and olingo (Bassaricyon beddardi Pocock, 1921) in the northern Brazilian Amazon

Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment
Volume 46, Issue 2, 2011

Abstract: Brazil's only records of Pocock's olingo (Bassaricyon beddardi) are based on sightings from the northernmost state of Roraima, where the similar kinkajou (Potos flavus) was reported as absent. Our recent field work in the region led to the collection of two specimens and several more observations of kinkajous and a complete lack of evidence of the presence of olingos. Furthermore, the name used locally to describe the nocturnal procyonids previously treated as olingos, gogó de sola, refers to the leathery bare throat patch that we believe to be a characteristic unique to kinkajous. Thus, we conclude that previous records of olingos in Roraima represent misidentifications of kinkajous and recommend that, until supported by a specimen, B. beddardi be treated as absent from Brazil.

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01650521.2011.572678
[Not available for download]

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