The most interesting news bit is the new paper by Colella et al., proposing to split ermine (a. k. a. stoat, short-tailed weasel) into 3-4 species, one of them endemic to Haida Gwai and Prince of Wales Islands (try Beaver Falls Trail on the latter island). Based on mtDNA and morphology, but the latter is analyzed in a weird way. I’d wait for nDNA data at least.
A review of African Lophuromys is probably a bit hardcore; scroll down to Taxonomic Assessment chapter.
Another review shows that there are not one but three Chiromyscus in Indochina. It’s unclear how to tell them apart, unfortunately. I’ll ask one of the authors I know personally if there are any field markings.
Also, Myotis nesopolus has been split: the two former subspecies are not closely related. The mainland form is now called M. larensis, while M. nesopolus is confined to Curaçao and Bonaire. Both are rare and difficult to find; I’ve never seen M. larensis, and only found M. nesopolus on my second trip to Bonaire, after spending a lot of time searching local caves.
Finally, a new preprint argues that African wolf should be split into multiple species. After seeing these animals in different parts of the range I agree that there is zero chance it’s a monotypic taxon, but are those forms species or subspecies? Considering how convoluted the phylogeny of other Canis species is, I don’t think this can be resolved without an extensive study of morphology, mtDNA and nDNA. Wouldn’t be surprised if some are actually golden jackals or (ancient?) hybrids.
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Sichuan and Alaska
vdinets, , General Mammal Watching, 0
Dear All, I might be able to travel to Sichuan and Alaska in February-March, for about 9 days each....
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Introducing Mammalwatching.com 2.0
Jon Hall, , General Mammal Watching, 13
Hello, After a lot of work – mainly from other people – the new mammalwatching.com is now live and...
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PLEASE VOTE: 2018 Mammalwatching Awards (the N.U.T.T.E.R. awards)
Jon Hall, , General Mammal Watching, 5
Thank you to all who sent me nominations for Mammalwatching’s most Notable, Unique, Tantalizing, Tenacious and Enlightening Reports: The N.U.T.T.E.R...
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Camera Trap Images
Jon Hall, , General Mammal Watching, 0
This is worth a look. It seems Bush Dogs really do exist! http://siwild.si.edu/index.cfm?state=gallery
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Visiting the Golden Lion Tamarins
Alan D, , General Mammal Watching, 10
Hi all. I am making a trip to the Pantanal next September. In the process of planning that trip...
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Karasu beaked whale in the Pribilofs
vdinets, , General Mammal Watching, 0
The yet undescribed karasu beaked whale, previously known only from Japan, washes up in the Pribilofs: article. We’ll be...
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Request for mammal photo
John Fox, , General Mammal Watching, 0
The following just showed up on a bat listserve, seemed like a natural to post it here. I’m not...
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RFI New Orleans area
malturner, , General Mammal Watching, 2
Hi. I need to visit New Orleans soon for ten days and will have two or three days spare...
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