A new species of rodent, Typhlomys taxuansis, has been discovered in northwestern Vietnam. As reported by the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, this is a species of blind tree mouse belonging to an ancient, relict, and highly exotic group of rodents found in the mountains of East Asia.
Scientists have long been uncertain about the taxonomic classification and even the common name of animals in the genus Typhlomys. They have been variously referred to as tree mice, eastern dormice, and even Chinese soft-furred hamsters.
“These animals are remarkable in many ways. Despite their arboreal lifestyle, they are completely blind and orient themselves using echolocation like bats. Additionally, almost all known species in the genus are very ancient (dating back to the Oligocene) and are narrow-range endemics with highly fragmented distributions,” according to a statement on the institute's website.
Tree mice inhabit the peaks of mountains in extremely specific, highly humid environments known as cloud forests.
Until a decade ago, the genus Typhlomys was thought to contain only one species. However, in recent years, Russian and Chinese specialists have identified five extant species, one extinct species, and several additional genetic lineages at the species level through various studies.
“Another new species, the sixth to be discovered, was recently found by Russian and Vietnamese researchers working at the Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Center in northwestern Vietnam,” the institute noted.
The announcement includes a link to an article with the original description of the new rodent species, as well as information on the distribution and conservation status of all known Typhlomys species. The material was recently published in the Biodiversity Data Journal.
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