This research question aims at establishing a clear distinction between the various
rats species in South-East Asia.
It is based on 1) a phylogenetic delimitation of species boundaries, 2) a robust
 identification of each species based on holotype for each group recognized in stage 1.

The approach appears appropriate to taxonomic studies of fuzzy species groups.

It is illustrated below with the resulting phylogenetic tree; the main outcome of the study,
followed by the corresponding details proposed below  in various forms :

- Article: Pagès M., Chaval Y., Herbreteau V., Wengsothorn S., Morand S. & Michaux J.R.
           Revisiting the taxonomy of the Rattini tribe: a phylogeny-based delimitation of
           species boundaries. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 2010,10:184

- Slideshow : "Revisiting the taxonomy of the Rattini tribe: a phylogeny-based delimitation of species
               boundaries". 4th International Conference on Rodent Biology and Management, Bloemfontein,
               South Africa, April 12th-16th 2010

- Poster : Pagès, M., Chaval, Y., Waengsothorn, S., Cosson, JF., Hugot, JP., Morand, S.,
           Michaux, J.Refining the taxonomy of the Rattini tribe: a phylogeny-based delimitation
           of species boundaries. 12th European Society for Evolutionary Biology. Turino, Italy.
           August 24 th-29 th, 2009.