Integrative taxonomy of the <i>Praomys tullbergi</i> complex (Rodentia, Muridae): a new species from West Africa

Abstract The rodent genus Praomys, endemic to the Afrotropical region, is characterized by significant diversity including cryptic species that complicate its taxonomic classification. Recent fieldwork conducted in Fazao-Malfakassa National Park in Togo, combined with molecular and morphometric analyses of newly collected individuals and museum specimens, has led to the discovery and formal description of a new species within the Praomys tullbergi complex endemic to Togo and Benin. Morphological analyses, based on 22 cranial and dental measurements from 263 adult specimens of the P. tullbergi complex, revealed clear differentiation of P. sp. nov. from other members of this complex. The new species can be distinguished by several external and cranio-mandibular characters. Molecular phylogenetic analyses and diagnostic nucleotide characters using mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences confirmed the genetic distinctiveness of P. sp. nov. within the P. tullbergi complex. In Togo and Benin, the new species co-occurs with another species of the P. tullbergi complex, P. misonnei, but the 2 species are separated by morphological, molecular, and ecological traits. The formal description of P. sp. nov. broadens and clarifies the taxonomy of the P. tullbergi complex. Nomenclatural statement: A Life Science Identifier (LSID) number was obtained for this publication: urn: lsid: zoobank.org: pub: E9170039-0D79-4125-9643-05501E1B4F4F