Geographical variations of tree shrews, mouse deers and pangolins around the lsthmus of Kra

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We examined zoogeographical significance of the Isthmus of Kra in the southern part of Thailand. The tree shrews, the mouse deers and the pangolins were used for the osteometrical and the genetic studies. In the tree shrews, The two color types (grayish northern and reddish southem types) of the common tree shrew (Tupaia glis and Tupaia belangeri) were co-distributed in Hat-Yai region (South Thailand). Although the Isthmus of Kra in South Thailand has been considered as distribution barrier of the two types, the sympatric distribution of both types was confirmed in southem side of the Isthmus. In the principal component analysis, the skull measurement character from Hat-Yai region could also be separated into the northem and southem groups according to the skin color identification of corresponding individuals. The lesser mouse deer and the Malayan pangolin could be also separated into two geographical groups around Hat-Yai region from the osteometrical results. In the DNA sequence analysis and the karyological studies, the common tree shrew complex was also distinguished into the two variations around the Isthmus of Kra. We will clarify the genetic separation in the mouse deers and pangolins around the Isthmus of Kra, and the wild pigs and bears will be contribute to the zoogeographical evaluation of the Isthmus of Kra in the future.