Hantaviruses are rodentborne, emerging viruses that cause life-threatening human diseases in Eurasia and the Americas. We detected hantavirus genome sequences in an African wood mouse (Hylomyscus simus) captured in Sangassou, Guinea. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of the genetic material demonstrate a novel hantavirus species, which we propose to name "Sangassou virus."

PCR screening of 1,482 murid rodents from 13 genera caught in 18 different localities of Guinea, West Africa, showed Lassa virus infection only in molecularly typed Mastomys natalensis. Distribution of this rodent and relative abundance compared with M. erythroleucus correlates geographically with Lassa virus seroprevalence in humans.

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A chromosome study of unstriped grass rats of the genus Arvicanthis (Rodentia, Murinae) in western and central Africa is presented. The observations extend the data available to 242 specimens from 59 localities. All individuals karyotyped belong to four karyotypic forms, or cytotypes, earlier described as ANI-1, ANI-2, ANI-3, and ANI-4 and are presumed to correspond to four distinct species. In order to provide diagnostic characters for these western and one central African Arvicanthis species, we standardized the chromosomal data available and developed a G- and C-banded chromosome nomenclature that allows easy species identification. Each form is characterized by a distinct geographical distribution, roughly following the biogeographical domains of western Africa, although their precise limits remain to be assessed. The sole area of sympatry detected is the region of the inner delta of the Niger River, where both ANI-1 and ANI-3 can be found. It is proposed that the three western African species ANI-1, ANI-3, and ANI-4 be renamed as A. niloticus, A. ansorgei, and A. rufinus, respectively.

Here we report on the analysis of three rodent sibling species complexes belonging to the African genera Arvicanthis, Acomys and Mastomys. Using cytogenetic and molecular approaches we set out to investigate how karyotype and molecular evolution are linked in these muroid sibling species and, in particular, to what extent chromosomal changes are relevant to cladogenic events inferred from molecular data. The study revealed that each complex is characterized by a distinct pattern of karyotype evolution (karyotypic orthoselection), and a specific mutation rate. However we found that the general pattern may be considerably modified in the course of evolution within the same species complex (Arvicanthis, Acomys). This observation suggests that karyotypic orthoselection documented in numerous groups is not so much a reflection of selection of a definite type of chromosomal mutation, as suggested by the classical concept, but is due to genome structure of a given species. In particular, karyotypic change appears related to the quantity and chromosomal location of repeated sequences. The congruence between the chromosomal and molecular data shows that chromosomal changes are often valuable phylogenetic characters (Arvicanthis and Mastomys, but not Acomys). However, most importantly the approach underscores the value of incorporating both in order to gain a better understanding of complex patterns of evolution. Moreover, the fact that every cladogenetic event in Mastomys is supported by two pericentric inversions allowed us to hypothesize that genetic differentiation is initiated by the suppression of recombination within inverted segments, and that the accumulation of multiple pericentric inversions reinforces genetic isolation leading to subsequent speciation. Finally, the low sequence divergences distinguishing karyotypically distinct sibling species within Arvicanthis and Mastomys emphasizes the power of combining cytogenetic and molecular approaches for the characterization of unrecognized components of biodiversity.

Conventional cytogenetic studies of Sicista subtilis and S. severtzovi (Dipodidae, Sicistinae), both attributable to the subtilis group of birch mice, revealed extensive karyotype diversity with 2n = 16–26 and NFa values of 26–46 indicating the overwhelming non-Robertsonian nature of chromosomal reorganization in these species. The numerical and structural chromosome variability was principally found in specimens located within a confined region of the East European (Russian) Plain. The approximately 135,000-km² area occurs in the vicinity of the Don River bend between 49°13’N/43°46’E and 51°32’N/36°16’E. The detection of cytotypes sharing similar 2n and NF values, but having morphologically distinct chromosomes, suggests that these may result from polymorphisms present both within recognized species and in cryptic taxa not hitherto described. We conducted a comprehensive, comparative chromosome banding analysis of 52 birch mice (21 localities) referable to the subtilis group and report the presence of 5 distinct karyotypes, each characterized by a combination of stable, variable, and partly overlapping 2n/NFa values. These karyotypes differed from each other by 10–29 structural chromosomal rearrangements (18.1 ± 6.3) that comprised Rb fusions/fissions (42.2%), pericentric inversions (31.1%), and tandem translocations (22.2%). The composition, and the high numbers of these chromosomal changes, is likely to provide an effective means of post-mating isolation, suggesting that taxonomic diversity within the subtilis group is larger than currently accepted. Additionally, we report the frequent fixation of tandem translocations in sample populations, one of which was found in a polymorphic state representing, as far as we are aware, the first case of an in statu nascendi tandem fusion in wild populations. Moreover, our data revealed that bi-armed chromosomes were involved in fusions detected in some of the subtilis taxa. In each instance, however, fusions were preceded by pericentric inversions that transform one or both bi-armed chromosomes into acrocentrics resulting in either centromere-telomere or Robertsonian translocations. Finally, a phylogenetic scenario inferred from a cladistic analysis of the chromosomal data suggests that the extensive karyotypic diversification within the subtilis group in the south-east region of the Russian Plain most likely results from fragmentation of a continuously distributed, ancestral population. It is thought that this occurred at the last glacial maximum (18,000–14,000 years B.P.), and that the process of isolation has been exacerbated by increasing human activity in the region in modern times.

The five morphologically sibling gerbil species of the genus Taterillus in West Africa were first identified from karyotypes. These species possess an XX/XY₁Y₂ sex-chromosome system and are characterized by significant karyotypic reorganization, thus making them a suitable model for studying the role of chromosomal rearrangements in the speciation process. We present here a description of two new cytotypes, Taterillus sp. 1 and Taterillus sp. 2, from the Lake Chad area, the former having a 2n = 22/23, NFa = 40, and the latter 2n = 24/25, NFa = 44. Comparison of their G- and C- banding patterns with those of T. pygargus (2n = 22/23, NFa = 38/40), examined in an earlier paper, revealed that all three species differ from each other by 7 to 11 chromosomal rearrangements, comprising tandem translocations, pericentric inversions, and Robertsonian metacentrics displaying monobrachial homology. Meiotic configurations formed in potential hybrids among any of these three forms would consist of complex rings and chains, alone or in combination, resulting, as expected, in a significant disruption of gametogenesis. These results provide support for assigning Taterillus sp. 1 and Taterillus sp. 2 to two different biological species, which, as demonstrated by our preliminary molecular studies, would have emerged recently. Possible factors responsible for the rapid karyotypic evolution and speciation in this West African gerbil complex are discussed.