Binnenwerk 48/1 2005

Editorial Food markets The discovery of new mammal species still con- the last decades, many new mammal species tinues. To date about 5000 species from this tax- have been simply ‘discovered’ during visits to onomic group have been described worldwide, local food markets. Marmosets in Brazil (e.g. but some scientists predict that, based on the fre- Callithrix humilis, Callithrix manicorensis and quency with which new species are found, the Callithrix acariensis), the Panay cloudrat number of mammal species will increase to (Crateromys heaneyi) on the Philippines, and the about 8000. Although most discoveries are of Laotian rock rat (Laonastes aenigmamus) in small animals, like rodents, bats, monkeys, ten- Laos: they have all been found at local markets recs and lemurs, large mammals are still also where hunters offered their catch. The discovery added to the list. Like the black-faced mangabey of the latter must have been an especially (Lophocebus kipunji), recently discovered in the thrilling experience, because this was not only a highlands of Tanzania, that reaches almost one new species but also a so far undiscovered mam- metre in height and weighs up to 16 kilograms. malian family. The last report of a new family of And what to say about the discovery of a new mammals had been in 1974, when the Kitti’s bovid species – the Vu Quang ox (Pseudoryx hog-nosed bat (Craseonycteris thonglongyai) – nghetinhensis) – as well as two muntjac species the only known genus and species of the – the giant muntjac (Megamuntiacus vuquangen- Craseonycteridae-family – was found along the sis) and the Truong Son muntjac (Megamuntia- Khwae Noi River (“River Kwai”) in western cus vuquangensis) – in the forests of Vietnam in Thailand. the 1990s. And only last year a giant peccary, not yet officially named, was discovered in the Ama- Perhaps less spectacular, but nevertheless adding zonian rainforests of Brazil. species to the list of mammals, is the discovery of new species through studying already de- It may be the dream of every zoologist to discov- scribed species in more detail. The development er a mammal species that has not been known to of genetic techniques has made large a contribu- science before. While describing new inverte- tion to the discovery of new species. Analysis of brate species seems relatively easy – just spray a genetic material of elephants, for example, re- single tree in a tropical rainforest with detergent vealed that, not one but, two species exist on the (only shaking is perhaps a still better option…) African continent: Loxodonta africana, which and a variety of new species will literally rain roams the savannas, and the forest-dwelling Lox- down – the discovery of new mammal species is odonta cyclotis. The latter had long been seen as often associated with adventurous expeditions a subspecies of the savanna-elephant, but based deep into pristine habitats. But this is not neces- on DNA-analysis it was concluded that the two sarily a precondition for success. As shown in species must have split off from each other about Editorial / Lutra 2005 48 (1): 1-2 1 2.5 million years ago. Similar cases exist on oth- Although not adding new species to science, the er continents, even in Europe: it is only a few rediscovery of species that were believed to be decades ago (1970) that the whiskered bat (My- extinct is also highly important, as is the discov- otis mystacinus) and Brandt’s bat (Myotis ery of species at places they have not been found brandtii) were split. Not surprising, our knowl- before. In 1988 it was assumed that the rhinocer- edge of the distribution and ecology of these os species (Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus) species is still fragmented (as shown by Mostert in Vietnam, a subspecies of the Javan rhinoceros, et al. in this issue). Furthermore, it was not until was extirpated. Due to reports of local inhabi- 1997 that a distinction was made, based on DNA tants, however, doubts were rising. Remote cam- studies, between the common pipistrelle (Pip- era systems were set up, and in 1999 the species istrellus pipistrellus) and the Soprano pipistrelle was photographed in one of the remote corners (Pipistrellus pygmaeus). of a national park in the south of the country. Currently the estimate is that eight specimens of But genetics is not the only helpful tool for dis- this species survived. tinguishing species. In other cases new species or subspecies have been recognised as a result of The search for mammals will continue. Not only ecological research. Research into the migration because of the urge to complete the list of what patterns of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalis) species exist, but also to acquire more know- off the coast of Italy showed that the animals did ledge about where species occur and how popu- not pass the Gibraltar Straits, as had long been lations develop, as illustrated by the comprehen- assumed. There was no exchange between the sive study on distribution patterns of badgers in Mediterranean population of fin whales and fin the Netherlands by Van Moll in this issue. But whale populations in the Atlantic. DNA-analy- remember: high-tech genetic analyses, long-term ses confirmed that there was no genetic kinship ecological research or sophisticated remote cam- between fin whales on either side of the Gibral- era systems are not necessarily needed to discov- tar Straits. Eventually, the Italian fin whale was er a new mammal species… just visit the local recognised as a different subspecies. food market during your next holiday! 2 Editorial / Lutra 2005 48 (1): 1-2.

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