Diferenciação morfométrica e notas sobre a distribuição de três espécies de Akodon (Muridae, Sigmodontinae, Akodontini) na área costeira atlântica do Brasil

Twenty cranial measurements and three body variables were compared among samples of three species of the genus Akodon previously identified by karyotype, using univariate (ANOVAs) and multivariate (Discriminant analyses) methods. A geographic analysis for A. montensis and A. cursor from localities in the State of Rio de Janeiro and adjacent areas was also performed. Akodon montensis presented smaller values for most cranial measurements, whereas A. aff. cursor showed larger values, with A. cursor showing intermediate cranial size. The discriminant analysis revealed a clear separation of A. aff. cursor from A. cursor, while all other pair of species presented partial overlap. All A. aff. cursor and most A. cursor were correctly classified, but classification of the A. montensis sample was less successful, probably due to the greater size or to the size-related variation in cranial shape of some older specimens. In the studied area, A. montensis was exclusively collected in altitudes higher than 800m above sea level, whereas A. cursor was found from sea level to altitudes above 1000m. ANOVAs showed one significantly different climatic variable, suggesting some segregation between these two species. Correct classification based solely on the discriminant function extracted on the basis of the present samples could not be fully achieved, although our results suggest that larger samples of kariotypically identified specimens will allow more conclusive patterns on the morphometric differentiation of these taxa.Vinte medidas cranianas e três variáveis corpóreas foram comparadas entre amostras de três espécies do gênero Akodon previamente identificadas por cariótipo, através de análises de variância e análise discriminante. Uma análise geográfica para A. montensis e A. cursor foi conduzida para amostras de localidades do Estado do Rio de Janeiro e adjacências. Akodon montensis apresentou valores menores para a maioria das medidas cranianas e A. aff. cursor as maiores medidas, com A. cursor apresentando um tamanho craniano intermediário. A análise discriminante mostrou uma separação clara de A. aff. cursor e A. cursor, enquanto que os demais pares de espécies se sobrepuseram parcialmente. Todos os exemplares de A. aff. cursor e a maioria dos de A. cursor foram corretamente classificados, mas a classificação da amostra de A. montensis apresentou resultados menos satisfatórios, possivelmente relacionados ao tamanho maior ou à variação na forma craniana relacionada ao tamanho em alguns espécimens mais velhos. Na área estudada, A. montensis foi coletado exclusivamente em altitudes superiores a 800m acima do nível do mar, ao passo que A. cursor foi encontrado do nível do mar até altitudes acima de 1000m. As ANOVAs evidenciaram uma variável climática significativamente diferente, sugerindo alguma segregação entre estas duas espécies. Uma classificação correta baseada somente na função discriminante revelada pelas amostras analisadas aqui não pôde ser obtida, mas as tendências na estruturação da variação morfométrica entre as amostras de espécimens sugerem que com amostras maiores será possível obter padrões mais conclusivos sobre a diferenciação morfométrica destes táxons

NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES: a data set on carnivore distribution in the Neotropics

Mammalian carnivores are considered a key group in maintaining ecological health and can indicate potential ecological integrity in landscapes where they occur. Carnivores also hold high conservation value and their habitat requirements can guide management and conservation plans. The order Carnivora has 84 species from 8 families in the Neotropical region: Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Otariidae; Phocidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae. Herein, we include published and unpublished data on native terrestrial Neotropical carnivores (Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae). NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES is a publicly available data set that includes 99,605 data entries from 35,511 unique georeferenced coordinates. Detection/non-detection and quantitative data were obtained from 1818 to 2018 by researchers, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private consultants. Data were collected using several methods including camera trapping, museum collections, roadkill, line transect, and opportunistic records. Literature (peer-reviewed and grey literature) from Portuguese, Spanish and English were incorporated in this compilation. Most of the data set consists of detection data entries (n = 79,343; 79.7%) but also includes non-detection data (n = 20,262; 20.3%). Of those, 43.3% also include count data (n = 43,151). The information available in NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES will contribute to macroecological, ecological, and conservation questions in multiple spatio-temporal perspectives. As carnivores play key roles in trophic interactions, a better understanding of their distribution and habitat requirements are essential to establish conservation management plans and safeguard the future ecological health of Neotropical ecosystems. Our data paper, combined with other large-scale data sets, has great potential to clarify species distribution and related ecological processes within the Neotropics. There are no copyright restrictions and no restriction for using data from this data paper, as long as the data paper is cited as the source of the information used. We also request that users inform us of how they intend to use the data

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data