List of mammals described in the 2000s
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Although the
Newly discovered fossils are not included.
Marsupials
At least five new species of marsupials have been discovered since 2000:
- Delta opossum(Philander deltae)
- Mondolfi's four-eyed opossum (Philander mondolfii)
- Arfak pygmy bandicoot (Microperoryctes aplini)
- Short-eared possum (Trichosurus caninus)
- 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 was already recognized, but only as a subspecies.
Sloths
The
Primates
36 primate species were described in the 2000s including the golden palace monkey or
Lagomorphs
Three species of
Rodents
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
At least 30 new bat species have been described since 2000. The new species were found in Africa, Latin America, Asia, Oceania, and Europe.
Even-toed ungulates
Since 2000, several new species of cetartiodactyl have been described, including three aquatic species (the Australian snubfin dolphin, Perrin's beaked whale, and Omura's whale) and two terrestrial ungulates (Roosevelt's muntjac and the yellow-striped chevrotain). Additionally, the northern right whale, previously considered a single species, was proposed to consist of a Pacific and an Atlantic species.
Carnivorans
Several new subspecies of previously known species were described. Additionally, an alternative taxonomic treatment of the clouded leopard was proposed, in which the
See also
- List of mammals
- List of mammals described in the 21st century
- List of megafauna discovered in modern times
- List of shrews and moles described in the 2000s
References
- ^ Alex Kirby (2001-08-23). "African elephant 'is two species'". BBC News.
- ^ Karl Shuker (2001). "Little Slow-foot". Fortean Times. 153: 21.