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. 2012;7(3):e32410.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032410. Epub 2012 Mar 27.

Phylogeny and taxonomy of the round-eared sengis or elephant-shrews, genus Macroscelides (Mammalia, Afrotheria, Macroscelidea)

John P Dumbacher  1 , Galen B Rathbun, Hanneline A Smit, Seth J Eiseb
Affiliations

Phylogeny and taxonomy of the round-eared sengis or elephant-shrews, genus Macroscelides (Mammalia, Afrotheria, Macroscelidea)

John P Dumbacher et al. PLoS One. 2012.

Abstract

The round-eared sengis or elephant-shrews (genus Macroscelides) exhibit striking pelage variation throughout their ranges. Over ten taxonomic names have been proposed to describe this variation, but currently only two taxa are recognized (M. proboscideus proboscideus and M. p. flavicaudatus). Here, we review the taxonomic history of Macroscelides, and we use data on the geographic distribution, morphology, and mitochondrial DNA sequence to evaluate the current taxonomy. Our data support only two taxa that correspond to the currently recognized subspecies M. p. proboscideus and M. p. flavicaudatus. Mitochondrial haplotypes of these two taxa are reciprocally monophyletic with over 13% uncorrected sequence divergence between them. PCA analysis of 14 morphological characters (mostly cranial) grouped the two taxa into non-overlapping clusters, and body mass alone is a relatively reliable distinguishing character throughout much of Macroscelides range. Although fieldworkers were unable to find sympatric populations, the two taxa were found within 50 km of each other, and genetic analysis showed no evidence of gene flow. Based upon corroborating genetic data, morphological data, near sympatry with no evidence of gene flow, and differences in habitat use, we elevate these two forms to full species.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Macroscelides from Namibia and South Africa.
A (top). Macroscelides proboscideus flavicaudatus captured in the Namib Desert at Wlotzkasbaken, Namibia, on 25 May 2000 (photo by GBR). B (bottom). M. p. proboscideus captured in the Nama-Karoo at Loxton Commonage, Northern Cape, South Africa, on 21 March 2007 (Photo courtesy of Chris and Mathilde Stuart). Note the light coloration of the animal from the Namib Desert compared to the specimen from the Nama-Karoo.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Map of southern Africa, showing the range of Macroscelides.
Localities of specimens used in our analyses are shown (see legend and Methods). The Okahandja and Isabis localities (square and star symbols in central Namibia) of M. p. proboscideus are of questionable validity (see Methods), so we have not included them when calculating the distribution polygon. The arrow points to the area of potential overlap of M. p. proboscideus and M. p. flavicaudatus, between specimen localities on Gorassis (triangle) and Zwartmodder (circle) farms.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Molecular phylogeny of Macroscelides.
Branch support is shown as Bayesian posterior probabilities (×100) followed by bootstrap values in 1000 fast-addition likelihood tree searches. Only Bayesian posteriors greater than 95 and bootstrap support greater than 70 are reported.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Graphical representation of morphological multivariate analysis.
PC1 and PC2 are principal component axes. The numeral 1 denotes M. p. flavicaudatus individuals, and 2 denotes M. p. proboscideus individuals. The diagonal line highlights the graph region between the two putative species.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Typical Macroscelides gravel plain habitats in the central part of the range of each taxon.
A (top). Capture site of M. p. flavicaudatus (see Fig. 1) in the Namib Desert near Wlotzkasbaken, Namibia (10 m elevation). Note coastal fog in distance and virtual lack of significant vegetation, except for lichens. Sengi trail is visible through center of image to rocky area in distance (Photo by GBR, 25 May 2000). B (bottom). Capture site of M. p. proboscideus in the Nama Karoo 40 km east of Loxton, South Africa (elevation 1364 m). Note dominance of bushes compared to the Namib Desert habitat (Photo Chris and Mathilde Stuart, 27 December 2009).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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