Mammals described in the 2000s

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

Newly-discovered fossils are not included.

Marsupials

Main article: Marsupials discovered in the 2000s

At least five new species of marsupials have been discovered since 2000: Philander deltae; Philander mondolfii; the Arfak Pygmy Bandicoot, Microperoryctes aplini; the Mountain Brush-tailed Possum, Trichosurus caninus; and the Red-bellied Gracile Opossum, Cryptonanus ignitus.

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 already was widely recognized, but only as a subspecies.

Xenarthrans

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

Main article: Primates discovered in the 2000s

Since 2000, at least 25 new species of primate have been described—16 lemurs and nine monkeys, including the GoldenPalace.com Monkey or Madidi titi, named by auction.

Lagomorphs

Main article: Lagomorphs discovered in the 2000s

Three species of lagomorph have been discovered in the 21st century: the Black Pika, Ochotona nigritia, the Venezuelan Lowland Rabbit, Sylvilagus varynaensis, and the Annamite Striped Rabbit, Nesolagus timminsi.

Rodents

Main article: Rodents discovered in the 2000s

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

Main article: Bats discovered in the 2000s

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

Even-toed ungulates

Main article: Cetartiodactyls discovered in the 2000s

Since 2000, several new species of cetartiodactyl have been described, including three aquatic species (Australian Snubfin Dolphin, Perrin's Beaked Whale, and Balaenoptera omurai) and three terrestrial ungulates (Roosevelt's muntjac, Giant Forest Peccary and Moschiola kathygre). Additionally, the Northern Right Whale, previously considered a single species, was proposed split into a Pacific and an Atlantic species.

Carnivorans

Main article: Carnivorans discovered in the 2000s

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 Bornean Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi).

References

1. ^ Alex Kirby (2001-08-23). "African elephant 'is two species'". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1505573.stm. 
2. ^ Karl Shuker (2001). "Little Slow-foot". Fortean Times 153: 21. 

See also

• Cat-fox a possible new carnivoran mammal discovered on Borneo
• List of mammals
• List of megafauna discovered in modern times
• List of mammals described in 21st century
• Shrews and moles discovered in the 2000s

External links

• Earthlife.net: Twenty-first Century Mammals