Distribution pattern and phylogeography of tree rats Chiromyscus (Rodentia, Muridae) in eastern Indochina

The study combines available data on species distribution in eastern Indochina to investigate the phylogeographical genetic and morphological diversity of tree rats ( Chiromyscus , Rodentia, Muridae) specify their natural ranges. We examined over its range, based recent molecular for mitochondrial Cyt b COI ) nuclear IRBP RAG1 GHR genes. presents most complete up-to-date phylogeography genus Indochina. As revealed by genes, C. langbianis splits into at least four coherent geographically-distributed clades, whereas thomasi chiropus form two distinctive clades each. show significant inconsistency shows same segregation pattern as can be traced markers. Northern Southern phylogroups appear distributed sympatrically with northern parts discovered are geographically subdivided divergent enough suspect independent subspecies within . However, due insufficiency obvious traits, a formal description is not carried out here. processes fauna formation, patterns, dispersion routes possible history discussed.