Molecular Phylogeny of Rediscovered Travancore Flying Squirrel (<I>Petinomys fuscocapillus</I>) and its Conservation Implications

Abstract

Petinomys fuscocapillus (Travancore flying squirrel), Jerdon 1847, is a near threatened species, native to India and Sri Lanka. Deforestation, wood plantation, infrastructure development, poaching and natural predators are major threats to the species. This study reports for the first time the molecular phylogenetic position and level of genetic divergence of P. fuscocapillus among the flying squirrel species of South and Southeast Asia, based on two mitochondrial genes. The phylogenetic analysis confirms that the P. fuscocapillus and Petinomys setosus (Temminck's flying squirrel) are sister taxa and share most recent common ancestry. Phylogenetic position of other flying squirrels obtained in the present study was also supported by the previous studies. We also emphasize on the extensive survey for population sampling, need for plantations to maintain a continuous canopy and enforcement of strict laws at the potential geographical distribution of the species in two countries.