Title of article :
On the nomenclature of the American clade of weasels (Carnivora: Mustelidae)
Author/Authors :
Patterson ، Bruce D. Negaunee Integrative Research Center - Field Museum of Natural History , Ramírez-Chaves ، Héctor E. Department of Biological Sciences - University of Caldas , Vilela ، Júlio F. Núcleo de História Natural da UFPI - Universidade Federal do Piauí (UFPI), Campus Amílcar Ferreira Sobral , Soares ، André Elias Rodrigues Department of Organismal Biology, Human Evolution - Evolutionsbiologiskt Centrum EBC - Uppsala Universitet , Grewe ، Felix Negaunee Integrative Research Center - Field Museum of Natural History
Abstract :
A brief review of the phylogeny and nomenclature of the weasels, genus Mustela Linnaeus, 1758 in the broad sense, indicates continuing confusion over the appropriate name for the well-supported American clade included within it. A case is made that the American mink (Neovison vison) and three allied species (Mustela frenata, M. felipei, and M. africana) should now be recognized in the genus Neogale Gray, 1865. The ages and morphological disparities of both Neogale and Mustela sensu stricto indicate that both are in need of comprehensive revisions.
Keywords :
Classification , Mammalia , phylogeny , synonymy , taxonomy
Journal title :
Journal of Animal Diversity
Journal title :
Journal of Animal Diversity
