Anderson's Niviventer

Niviventer andersoni

Key to the subspecies of N. andersoni 1. The distal tail, including the terminal third to a quarter of its length maroon; sides of muzzle grayish ........................ .................................................................................................................................... N. a. ailaoshanensis subsp. nov. - The distal tail, including the terminal third to a quarter of its length white; sides of muzzle mainly ochraceous, or mixed with grayish more or less ................................................................................................................................... 2 2. Belly pure white and back are a mixture of gray and ochraceous, with black intermixed along the back..................... ............................................................................................................................................................... N. a. andersoni - Belly yellow-whitish and back are a mixture of gray and ochraceous, but with more black intermixed along the back, and the general impression being darker ......................................................................... N. a. pianmaensis subsp. nov.

Geographic variation of the Anderson’s Niviventer (Niviventer andersoni) (Thomas, 1911) (Rodentia: Muridae) of two new subspecies in China verified with cranial morphometric variables and pelage characteristics

discussion

Discussion: Systematically revised and contrasted with N. excelsior and N. confucianus by Musser and Chiu (1979). Closest relative is apparently N. excelsior; the two species are set apart from other Niviventer by primitive traits they share, the two form a tight cluster reflected in multivariate analysis of morphometric traits (Musser and Lunde, ms), and both are isolated in the high mountains of S China (Musser, 1981 b). This hypothesized phyletic alliance and morphological isolation from other species of Niviventer should be tested by analyses of molecular data. Anthony (1941) recorded N. andersoni from NE Burma but that series represents an undescribed species of Niviventer not closely related to N. andersoni (Musser and Lunde, ms). In his checklist of Chinese mammals, Wang (2003: 204) listed lushuiensis as simply Wu et Wang, subsp. Nov. 2002, " a subspecies of N. andersoni, but the name has yet to be published with a diagnosis and identification of holotype (D. Lunde, in litt., 2004).

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

distribution

Distribution: SW China; E Xizang (Tibet), Yunnan, W Sichuan, N Ghizhou and S Shaanxi (Feng et al., 1986; Musser and Chiu, 1979; Wang, 2003).

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

discussion

COMMENTS: Reviewed and contrasted with N. excelsior and N. confucianus by Musser and Chiu (1979). Closest relative is Niviventer excelsior; the two species are set apart from other species of Niviventer by primitive traits they share, and both are isolated in the high mountains of W China (Musser, 1981 b).

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae