List of mammals described in the 2000s
Although the mammals are well studied in comparison to other animal groups, new species are still being discovered. This list includes extant mammal species discovered, formally named, or brought to public light in 2000 or later. Notable subspecies are also included, as are mammals rediscovered after being declared, or seriously suspected to be, extinct.
Newly discovered fossils are not included.
Marsupials
At least five new species of marsupials have been discovered since 2000:
Elephants
In 2001, genetic evidence emerged that the African elephant, once thought to be a single species, was in fact two, as the smaller African forest elephant was in fact a distinct species. L. africana is now commonly referred to as the African bush elephant. Strictly speaking, this is not a newly discovered species, but simply an alternative taxonomic treatment, as cyclotis was already recognized, but only as a subspecies.
Sloths
The pygmy three-toed sloth was named in 2001, after its discovery in the mangrove swamps of Isla Escudo de Veraguas, a tiny island off the western coast of Panama. They weigh 40% less than mainland sloths, are 20% smaller, and have a distinctive fringe of long hair.
Primates
36 primate species were described in the 2000s including the golden palace monkey or Madidi titi, named by auction.
Lagomorphs
Three species of lagomorph have been described in the 21st century: the black pika, the Venezuelan lowland rabbit, and the Annamite striped rabbit.
Rodents
A number of rodents are described each year. Notable among those described since 2000 are the Cypriot mouse, and the Laotian rock rat, which represents a family, Diatomyidae, thought to be extinct since the Miocene, and has been described as a living fossil.
Bats
At least 30 new bat species have been described since 2000. The new species were found in Africa, Latin America, Asia, Oceania, and Europe.
Since 2000, several new species of cetartiodactyl have been described, including three aquatic species and two terrestrial ungulates. Additionally, the northern right whale, previously considered a single species, was proposed to consist of a Pacific and an Atlantic species.
Carnivorans
Several new subspecies of previously known species were described. Additionally, an alternative taxonomic treatment of the clouded leopard was proposed, in which the taxon diardi, previously considered a subspecies of Neofelis nebulosa, was proposed a separate species, the Sunda clouded leopard. In 2013, the olinguito, living in the Andean cloud forest, was determined to be a distinct species. It had previously been categorized as a small olingo.