First record ofMus cookii(Cook’s mouse) from Pothwar, Pakistan: a probable case of range extension?

Abstract

AbstractThe Southeast Asian speciesMus (Mus) cookiiRyley 1914 has been previously reported from southern China, Nepal, northeastern and peninsular India, Myanmar, north and central Thailand and Vietnam. A cytochromeb(Cytb) gene analysis revealed the presence ofM. cookiiwhich significantly expands the known western range of this species. However, it is unclear whether theM. cookiipopulation in the Pothwar region represents a historical or recent westward range expansion or, on the contrary, a relictual source population that further experienced an historic eastward range expansion into Southeast Asia.