taxonID	type	description	language	source
51EA240C2DBE5855901439AF1802D7EB.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. The brown tail is unicolored and measures approximately 150 – 170 % of the head-body length. The back of the body is brown, lacking black stripes along the spine, and the abdomen is light brown in color (Fig. 7 a 1 – a 3). The Palatine Foramina are located along the line connecting the metacone and the hypocone of the second upper molar (Fig. 6 a 5).	en	Deng, Yu, Liu, Qing, Wang, Xuming, Li, Binbin V., Wang, Jing, Liu, Shuang, Liao, Rui, Liu, Shaoying, Chen, Shunde (2025): Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of the Sicista concolor group (Mammalia, Rodentia, Sicistidae) with the description of a new species. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (3): 1197-1211, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.155510
51EA240C2DBE5855901439AF1802D7EB.taxon	distribution	Distribution. This species is distributed along the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, primarily in the provinces of Gansu, Qinghai, and Shaanxi, China. It is commonly found in temperate forest edges, shrublands, and grassland shrub communities. The species constructs nearly spherical nests made of grass, typically placed in the gaps between shrubs.	en	Deng, Yu, Liu, Qing, Wang, Xuming, Li, Binbin V., Wang, Jing, Liu, Shuang, Liao, Rui, Liu, Shaoying, Chen, Shunde (2025): Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of the Sicista concolor group (Mammalia, Rodentia, Sicistidae) with the description of a new species. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (3): 1197-1211, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.155510
BE35F982B4E85E7780C2F802448C4EEA.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Compared to other birch mice, the incisor foramina is shorter, extending posteriorly only to the middle level of the first molar, with the posterior end of the maxilla near the anterior edge of the molars.	en	Deng, Yu, Liu, Qing, Wang, Xuming, Li, Binbin V., Wang, Jing, Liu, Shuang, Liao, Rui, Liu, Shaoying, Chen, Shunde (2025): Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of the Sicista concolor group (Mammalia, Rodentia, Sicistidae) with the description of a new species. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (3): 1197-1211, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.155510
BE35F982B4E85E7780C2F802448C4EEA.taxon	distribution	Distribution. It is distributed in the alpine or subalpine scrub regions of the Himalayas, with reports from areas such as Kashmir and Tibet, China.	en	Deng, Yu, Liu, Qing, Wang, Xuming, Li, Binbin V., Wang, Jing, Liu, Shuang, Liao, Rui, Liu, Shaoying, Chen, Shunde (2025): Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of the Sicista concolor group (Mammalia, Rodentia, Sicistidae) with the description of a new species. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (3): 1197-1211, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.155510
78D887B630C0525F87E1601949861125.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. This species is distinguished by its unique tail (Fig. 7 b 1 – b 3). The tail is darker than that of other species, displaying a deep brown color with a tuft of black hairs at the tip, and its length is approximately twice the length of the body. The palatine foramina are aligned along a line connecting the protocone and paracone of the second upper molar, and the distance between them exceeds the transverse width of the incisive foramen (Fig. 6 b 5).	en	Deng, Yu, Liu, Qing, Wang, Xuming, Li, Binbin V., Wang, Jing, Liu, Shuang, Liao, Rui, Liu, Shaoying, Chen, Shunde (2025): Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of the Sicista concolor group (Mammalia, Rodentia, Sicistidae) with the description of a new species. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (3): 1197-1211, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.155510
78D887B630C0525F87E1601949861125.taxon	description	Description. The head and body length ranges from 53 to 70 mm, tail length from 86 to 145 mm, hind foot length from 16 to 21 mm, ear length from 10 to 17 mm, head length from 18 to 22 mm, and body weight from 6 to 14 g. The upper lip is divided into two segments. The cheeks are tea yellow, extending from the back of the neck to beneath the ears and to the front of the shoulders. Each side has more than 20 vibrissae, with the longest whiskers reaching approximately 30 mm. The longer whiskers are black in the middle and lower parts, grayish-white in the middle and upper parts, while the shorter whiskers are almost entirely grayish-white. The ears are small and round, covered with dark brown short fur. The dorsal fur is dark brown, without any black stripes. The ventral fur has a light gray base with pale yellow tips, and there is no clear demarcation between the back and belly fur. The tail is dark brown and uniformly colored, about twice the length of the head and body. The feet are dark brown, with white toes, and there are long white hair tufts at the base of the claws. The hind limbs are relatively short, with the hind foot length smaller than the total skull length, making them unsuitable for jumping. The forelimbs have four toes, and the hind limbs have five toes (Fig. 7 b 1 – b 3). The cranial region is roughly oval in shape, characterized by a relatively short rostrum. The anterior end of the nasal bone slightly extends beyond the maxillary premaxilla and upper incisors. There is no prominent supraorbital ridge between the orbits. The interorbital region is relatively broad, with the narrowest point located at the midline of the frontal bone. The width of the interparietal bone is about twice its length. The posterior margin of the palatine bone is slightly protruding, extending beyond the posterior margin of the molars. The palatine foramen of the upper jaw are located along the line connecting the protocone and paracone of the second upper molar. The distance between the paired palatine foramina exceeds the width between the lateral margins of the incisive foramen. The coronoid process, condyloid process, and angular process of the mandible are all pointed and slant posteriorly, with thin bones connecting the central region (Fig. 6 b 1 – b 5). The length of the upper dental row ranges from 9.17 to 9.28 mm, and the length of the lower dental row ranges from 8.08 to 8.32 mm. The upper incisors are slender, oriented vertically toward the ventral side, with an orange enamel surface on the labial side, lacking vertical grooves. The lower incisors are white. The width of the upper molar row is 4.10 – 4.34 mm, and the length is 3.00 – 3.12 mm. The upper premolar is very small and cylindrical in shape. The first and second upper molars are well-developed, each bearing four cusps with deep folds on both the inner and outer sides. The anterior margin of the first molar forms a small protuberance that is lower than the cusps. The second molar is equal in size to the first molar. The third upper molar is very small, circular, and shows signs of gradual degeneration. The lower molar row measures 2.90 – 3.12 mm in length. The mandible contains three molars. The first lower molar aligns with the second upper molar. Both the first and second lower molars are quadrangular, with four distinct cusps and well-developed central depressions. The anterior margin of the first lower molar features a protuberance. The third lower molar is larger than the third upper molar and exhibits a notch along its inner edge (Fig. 6 b 5 – b 6). The glans penis is relatively slender and covered with distinct, evenly distributed keratinized spines. There are 1 – 2 longitudinal grooves running along the ventral midline and a single longitudinal groove on the dorsal side. The urethral opening is Y-shaped. The outer annular layer lacks papillae, and no urethral valves, dorsal projections, or lateral branches are observed. The baculum exhibits an ossified, rod-like structure without differentiation into distal and proximal ends. The base is slightly concave, and the overall shape is markedly curved towards the ventral side. The ventral tip is Y-shaped, with a central longitudinal groove, and an additional groove is present on the dorsal side (Fig. 5 b 1 – b 4).	en	Deng, Yu, Liu, Qing, Wang, Xuming, Li, Binbin V., Wang, Jing, Liu, Shuang, Liao, Rui, Liu, Shaoying, Chen, Shunde (2025): Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of the Sicista concolor group (Mammalia, Rodentia, Sicistidae) with the description of a new species. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (3): 1197-1211, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.155510
78D887B630C0525F87E1601949861125.taxon	etymology	Etymology. This newly discovered species was found in Meigu, Sichuan Province. In recognition of its type locality, we have named the species accordingly. We propose the English name “ Meigu Birch Mouse ” and the Chinese name “ 美姑蹶鼠 ” for this species.	en	Deng, Yu, Liu, Qing, Wang, Xuming, Li, Binbin V., Wang, Jing, Liu, Shuang, Liao, Rui, Liu, Shaoying, Chen, Shunde (2025): Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of the Sicista concolor group (Mammalia, Rodentia, Sicistidae) with the description of a new species. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (3): 1197-1211, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.155510
78D887B630C0525F87E1601949861125.taxon	distribution	Distribution. It is currently known only from Meigu, Sichuan Province, and inhabits the shaded tall grass in montane and subalpine coniferous forests, mixed conifer-broadleaf forests, riverside shrublands, meadows, and alpine grasslands at altitudes ranging from 2000 to 3000 meters.	en	Deng, Yu, Liu, Qing, Wang, Xuming, Li, Binbin V., Wang, Jing, Liu, Shuang, Liao, Rui, Liu, Shaoying, Chen, Shunde (2025): Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of the Sicista concolor group (Mammalia, Rodentia, Sicistidae) with the description of a new species. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (3): 1197-1211, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.155510
63B1004CB4B355ADB8960DC110CD92D2.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. The tail exhibits a distinct bicolored pattern, with the dorsal surface being brown and the ventral surface slightly lighter, devoid of a tuft of hair at the tip (Fig. 7 c 1 – c 3). The palatine foramen in the upper jaw is positioned along the midline of the second upper molar, with the distance between the two foramina not exceeding the width of the incisor foramen (Fig. 6 c 1 – c 5).	en	Deng, Yu, Liu, Qing, Wang, Xuming, Li, Binbin V., Wang, Jing, Liu, Shuang, Liao, Rui, Liu, Shaoying, Chen, Shunde (2025): Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of the Sicista concolor group (Mammalia, Rodentia, Sicistidae) with the description of a new species. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (3): 1197-1211, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.155510
63B1004CB4B355ADB8960DC110CD92D2.taxon	distribution	Distribution. This species is distributed in areas such as Songpan, Pingwu, and Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan Province, inhabiting moist montane coniferous forests, birch forests, and alpine meadows at elevations between 2000 and 4000 meters.	en	Deng, Yu, Liu, Qing, Wang, Xuming, Li, Binbin V., Wang, Jing, Liu, Shuang, Liao, Rui, Liu, Shaoying, Chen, Shunde (2025): Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of the Sicista concolor group (Mammalia, Rodentia, Sicistidae) with the description of a new species. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (3): 1197-1211, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.155510
