The phylogeny of the Praomys complex (Rodentia: Muridae) and its phylogeographic implications

Among the African Murinae (Rodentia, Muridae), the Praomys complex, whose systematics has been studied by different approaches, has raised numerous taxonomic problems. Different taxa, namely Praomys, Mastomys, Myomys and Hylomyscus have been considered either as separate genera or subgenera of Praomys. In order to understand the relationships within the Praomys complex and to test the monophyly of the genus Praomys, a cladistic analysis was conducted, based on morpho-anatomical factors involving different species of Praomys, Mastomys, Myomys and Hylomyscus. The results indicate that the Praomys complex is monophyletic, as are the genera Hylomyscus, Mastomys and Myomys, whereas the genus Praomys appears paraphyletic. Indeed, a group of species including Praomys jacksoni was found to be more closely related to the genera Mastomys and Myomys than to a Praomys tullbergi-group. The biotopes and the distribution areas of the species were mapped on the phylogeny. It appears that the different clades each present a relative ecological cohesion and are arranged according to a gradient from closed to open habitats. From there, an evolutionary scenario is proposed for the emergence of the different clades and species of the genus Praomys sensu stricto.