Integrated wildlife forensics and systematics identified first evidence of occurrence of Yunnan Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista yunnanensis) from India – a case study

The present study conducted as part of a forensic investigation following an integrated taxonomy approach provides novel genetic evidence of occurrence of the Yunnan Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista yunnanensis from India. We sequenced two mitochondrial genes (Cyt b and 16S rRNA) that showed > 96. % sequence similarity and lowest genetic distance (0.040) with P. yunnanensis . The Bayesian based phylogenetic analysis revealed paraphy and ~ 2.19 million years’ divergence with P. yunnanensis indicating the occurrence of a distinct phylogenetic lineage. The morphological examination of pelage and crani0-dental features also coincided with the genetic inferences. The principal component analysis based on 25 cranial measurements across eight Petaurista species showed that the studied specimen showed a close morphometric affinity with P. albiventer and P. philippensis . The present study underscores the role of wildlife forensics in investigating illegal trade involving lesser-known taxa and suggests the possible occurrence of P. yunnanensis in India, as evidenced by its seizure in a village area. This study also highlights.