Integrated wildlife forensics and systematics identify a confiscated specimen of Yunnan Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista yunanensis) seized in Sikkim, India: a case study

The present study was conducted as part of a forensic investigation following an integrated taxonomy approach which provides novel genetic evidence of the Yunnan Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista yunanensis) from India. We sequenced two partial mitochondrial genes (Cytb and 16 S rRNA) that showed > 96% sequence similarity and lowest genetic distance (0.040) with P. yunanensis. The Bayesian based phylogenetic analysis revealed paraphyly and ~ 2.19 million years’ divergence with P. yunanensis indicating the occurrence of a distinct phylogenetic lineage. The morphological examination of pelage and cranio-dental features also coincided with the genetic inferences. The principal component analysis based on 25 cranial measurements across eight Petaurista species showed that the studied specimen showed a close morphometric affinity with P. albiventer and P. philippensis. The present study underscores the role of wildlife forensics in investigating illegal trade involving lesser-known taxa and suggests the possible occurrence of P. yunanensis in India, as evidenced by its seizure in a village area. This study also highlights the role of molecular forensics in wildlife trade investigations in lesser-known taxa involved in illegal wildlife trafficking.