The increasing use of phylogeographic studies, based on mitochondrial DNA, in European mammals not only provides the genetic structure of the populations and a reconstruction of the evolutionary history of each taxon but is also useful in identifying cryptic species and areas that may represent conservation priorities. We reviewed the published data (about 60 articles) reporting phylogeographic studies, based on sequences of mtDNA genes, in order to identify those populations representing putative species, not yet formally described among European mammal species of all orders, with the exception of Chiroptera. A DNA taxonomic approach and the value of subspecies are also discussed in relation to conservation activities.
The scientific and political communities must be aware of our bias in the knowledge of the taxonomy of the various living organisms. Although the effects of species concepts on conservation have received considerable attention, usage of the subspecies category in conservation lists have received insufficient scientific scrutiny, at least for most taxonomic groups and geographic regions. Here we draw from the class Mammalia to show that discrepancies in the inclusion of subspecies in the IUCN Red List often reflect uneven taxonomic knowledge and the differential scientific and public interest raised by different kinds of mammals, which together can produce a biased picture of mammalian endangerment worldwide.