ZSI study unravels hidden world of South Asian tree shrews, redefines conservation priorities
In a landmark study that redefines our understanding of a little-known group of mammals, scientists from the
Zoological Survey of India
(ZSI) have revealed new insights into the taxonomy of
South Asian tree shrews
, challenging long-held assumptions and setting a new course for their conservation.
Published today in the prestigious journal
Ecology and Evolution
, the study—led by Dr. Manokaran Kamalakannan of ZSI's Mammal and Osteology Section—delves into the evolutionary distinctions among South Asia's tree shrews, small, squirrel-like mammals that have long confounded researchers due to their superficial resemblance to other species.
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'Tree shrews are not true shrews or squirrels, but members of a distinct order called
Scandentia
,' said Dr. Kamalakannan, who conceptualised and steered the project from start to finish. 'They possess unique traits such as elongated snouts, moist nasal pads, and a diet of insects and fruits, setting them apart from other small mammals.'
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Drawing from a century's worth of museum specimens, the ZSI team applied advanced morphometric methods and statistical modelling to decode subtle differences in body shape, skull structure, and size—resolving long-standing taxonomic ambiguities that have hindered conservation efforts.
Nicobar Tree Shrew: From Smallest to Largest
One of the most surprising findings upends conventional wisdom about the Nicobar tree shrew, previously thought to be the smallest among its South Asian relatives. The study reveals it is, in fact, the largest tree shrew in South Asia, and ranks as the third largest globally among the 23 known species.
'This has major conservation implications,' noted Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director of ZSI. 'Insular endemics like the Nicobar tree shrew are particularly vulnerable to ecological stress, and accurate taxonomy is critical for crafting focused protection strategies.'
A Call for Genetic Research
While the morphological findings are ground-breaking, co-author Dr. Mukesh Thakur emphasized the need for genetic studies to complement this research. 'To build a complete phylogenetic tree of these species, integrating DNA data is now essential,' he said.
Dr. Nithyanandam Marimuthu, who led the complex statistical analyses, added, 'Our multivariate analysis statistically supports the distinction among these species, even when physical similarities once led to misidentifications.'
Conservation Through Clarity
Tree shrews are often overlooked in conservation discourse, but their ecological role—as seed dispersers and insect predators—makes them crucial components of forest ecosystems. The new findings underscore how scientific clarity can drive better conservation outcomes.
'This study proves that even long-preserved museum specimens can yield new knowledge when paired with modern analytical tools,' Dr. Kamalakannan said. 'It's a testament to the enduring value of biological collections.'
The full study, titled
'Museum Specimens Reveal the
Taxonomic Distinctions
among South Asian Tree shrews,'
is available open-access at
https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71202
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