Geographic variation of the Perny's Long-nosed squirrels (Dremomys pernyi) (Milne-Edwards, 1867) (Rodentia : Sciuridae) from southwestern China based on cranial morphometric variables

A sample of 114 specimens of Dremomys pernyi was investigated, 73 of which had intact skulls and were subjected to multivariate, coefficient of difference (C. D.), and cluster analyses. Results indicate that 4 subspecies (groups) of Dremomys pernyi inhabit southwestern China: D. p. pernyi in the center and western Sichuan province and central and northwestern Yunnan province; D. p. flavior in the areas ranging from the southwestern Guangxi province, southwestern Guizhou province to the southern Yunnan province (east of Honghe River); D. p. howelli in the western Yunnan province (west of Nujiang River); and one new group (D. pernyi Wuliangshan group) in the Wuliangshan areas (between the Honghe River and the Lancangjiang River), Jingdong, Yunnan province. The results also probe into the relationships between subspecies differentiation of D. pernyi and the geographic structure and evolution in southwestern China.