Diversity and composition of cactus species along an altitudinal gradient in the Sierras del Norte Mountains (Córdoba, Argentina)

Cacti are important elements of the flora in many ecosystems of the Americas. However, the factors that determine their richness and composition are not well known, particularly at the regional scale. The aim of this work was to study the patterns of cactus richness (both species and growth forms) and composition in the Sierras del Norte mountain range (Córdoba Province, Argentina). Species presence was recorded at 55 sites covering an altitudinal gradient from 203 to 970 m. Twenty four species from eight genera were recorded in the area. Total species richness and growth form richness decreased with increasing altitude. The richness of columnar and short columnar species decreased with increasing altitude, whereas richness of globose species increased. Opuntioid richness did not respond to altitude. Species composition was strongly related to altitude. Gymnocalycium bruchii and Parodia erinacea occurred at sites located at higher altitudes, whereas at sites at lower altitudes, Gymnocalycium schickendantzii, Stetsonia coryne and Cleistocactus baumannii, among other species, were present. Our results highlight the importance of altitude in shaping the distribution of species and growth forms in the Sierras del Norte Mountains.Fil: Gurvich, Diego Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Zeballos, Sebastián Rodolfo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Demaio, Pablo Horacio. NGO Ecosistemas Argentinos; Argentin

Pequeños vertebrados en la dieta del oso andino (Tremarctos ornatus Cuvier, 1825) en el norte del Perú

There have been numerous studies about Spectacled bear´s diet, however little is known about the small vertebrates it consumes. This study present nine vertebrate species (seven rodent and two birds) as preys of the Spectacled bear, based on the analysis of six feces collected from two locations Upa (Amazonas) and Lagunas Arreviatadas (Cajamarca) in northern Peru. Six of these records were new food items and a new family Caviidae. Vertebrates were found only in the Upa location. Additionally a sampling of small non flying mammals was conducted in there. Our results suggest that the Spectacled bear would be a generalist species. It prefers plants, however if it finds vertebrates in the environment, it could feed on them.Se han realizado numerosos estudios acerca de la dieta del oso andino, sin embargo poco se conoce sobre los pequeños vertebrados que consume. El presente trabajo da a conocer nueve especies de vertebrados (siete roedores y dos aves) como presas del oso andino, por medio del análisis de seis fecas provenientes de dos localidades Upa (Amazonas) y Lagunas Arreviatadas (Cajamarca) en el norte de Perú. Seis de estos registros son nuevos ítems alimenticios y una nueva familia Caviidae. Tan solo en la localidad de Upa se encontraron restos de vertebrados. Adicionalmente los pequeños mamíferos no voladores fueron muestreados en esa localidad. Nuestros resultados sugieren que el oso andino sería una especie generalista, si bien puede tener preferencias en la ingesta de plantas, en el caso de los vertebrados pareciera consumirlos según los encuentra en el ambiente

Diversidad y conservación de los mamíferos de Arequipa, Perú

This paper presents an updated list of terrestrial and marine mammal species that inhabit the Arequipa Department in Peru, based on revision of museum collections, field notes, and relevant literature. The mammal fauna is made up of 72 wild species in 54 genera, 20 families and six orders. Twenty three species are reported in the Department of Arequipa for the first time. In addition, 12 introduced species are listed. Finally, the conservation status of most of the species is discussed.En este trabajo se presenta una lista actualizada de las especies de mamíferos terrestres y marinos que habitan el departamento de Arequipa. Se realizó una revisión de especímenes de museos, registros de campo de los autores y recopilación de la literatura. La mastofauna de Arequipa está compuesta por 72 especies silvestres, agrupadas en 54 géneros, 20 familias y seis órdenes. Se incluye por primera vez el registro de 23 especies para el departamento de Arequipa. Además, se anota la presencia de 12 especies introducidas. Finalmente, se hace mención al estado de conservación de varias especies y cómo éstas se encuentran afectadas por la actividad humana

Mammalian diversity in the Savanna from Peru, with three new addictions from country

Bahuaja Sonene National Park protects the unique sample of subtropical humid savannas in Peru, which are known as “Pampas del Heath” with 6,136 hectares of area. Many endangered species and/or endemic from savannas occur there, however studies about the diversity of mammals in Pampas del Heath are limited and only three assessments there have been carried out since mid‑1970s. Therefore we surveyed mammals in three habitat types of the Pampas del Heath (savanna, ecotonal area and forest) during late 2011. We used several methods of record for the different mammal groups including 1) capture techniques with mist nets, snap traps, Sherman traps, Tomahawk traps and pitfall traps, 2) and detection techniques direct by means of camera traps, visualization of mammals during long walk, observation of tracks and interviews to local people. Total capture efforts totalized 6,033 trap/nights, 136 mist-net/nights and 108 cameras/nights. Sixty-nine species of mammals were recorded: 33 in savanna, 33 in ecotonal area and 38 in forest. Sixteen species are new records for the Pampas del Heath and three are new records from Peru (Cryptonanus unduaviensis, Rhogeessa hussoni and Rhogeessa io). Analyses on the sampling effort, relative density, diversity and community structure of small mammals were made for the three habitats types. Moreover eight species are Threatened and 24 are listed in CITES. The new records here presented elevated the previous known mammal species richness in Peru from 538 to 541, and show the importance to conduct inventories to describe the biodiversity in remote areas, like the Pampas del Heath

Evaluation of the paraphyletic assemblages within Lonchophyllinae, with description of a new tribe and genus

In the past decade, six new species and one new genus have been described in the Lonchophyllinae (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae), increasing the number of recognized taxa in the subfamily to four genera and 17 species. During this time, three studies, both morphologic and genetic, indicated the genus Lonchophylla was paraphyletic with respect to other genera in the subfamily. Using tissues from museum voucher specimens, including the holotypes of specimens of Xeronycteris vieirai and Lonchophylla pattoni, issues related to the previous paraphyletic assemblages were addressed. A combination of mitochondrial (Cytb), nuclear data (Fgb-I7, TSHB-I2), chromosome diploid and fundamental numbers, and morphologic characters was used to determine whether all species of Lonchophylla share a common ancestor after diverging from other genera in the subfamily. Based on gene sequence data, a basal, monophyletic, statistically supported radiation within the subfamily Lonchophyllinae was observed in all phylogenetic analyses. We conclude that this assemblage merits recognition as a new tribe and genus, and, therefore, present formal descriptions of the genus as Hsunycteris and the tribe as Hsunycterini. Several other issues related to paraphyly within both the genus Hsunycteris and tribe Lonchophyllini were not resolvable at this time, including that the genus Lonchophylla is paraphyletic and Hsunycteris thomasi contains four genetic species. A species in the genus Hsunycteris remains undescribed because it was not possible to determine which of two lineages the type specimen of H. thomasi is actually a member. Until additional genetic and/or morphologic data are available, resolution of all paraphyletic relationships is not possible. Future studies that focus on utilizing morphologic and genetic (both mitochondrial and nuclear) data from the type specimens of species of Lonchophylla and species of Hsunycteris thomasi are needed to resolve these remaining questions

Diversity and endemism of Peruvian mammals

Se presenta una lista comentada de los mamíferos terrestres, acuáticos y marinos nativos de Perú, incluy- endo sus nombres comunes, la distribución por ecorregiones y los estados de amenaza según la legislación nacional vigente y algunos organismos internacionales. Se documenta 508 especies nativas, en 13 órdenes, 50 familias y 218 géneros; resultando el Perú como el tercer país con la mayor diversidad de especies en el Nuevo Mundo después de Brasil y México, así como quinto en el mundo. Esta diversidad incluye a 40 didelfi- morfos, 2 paucituberculados, 1 sirenio, 6 cingulados, 7 pilosos, 39 primates, 162 roedores, 1 lagomorfo, 2 soricomorfos, 165 quirópteros, 34 carnívoros, 2 perisodáctilos y 47 cetartiodáctilos. Los roedores y murciélagos (327 especies) representan casi las dos terceras partes de la diversidad (64%). Cinco géneros y 65 especies (12,8%) son endémicos para Perú, siendo la mayoría de ellos roedores (45 especies, 69,2%). La mayoría de especies endémicas se encuentra restringida a las Yungas de la vertiente oriental de los Andes (39 especies, 60%) seguida de lejos por la Selva Baja (14 especies, 21,5%). Se comenta la taxonomía de algunas especies, cuando éstas discrepan de la taxonomía aceptada. El marsupial Marmosa phaea; los roedores Melanomys caliginosus, M. robustulus y Echinoprocta rufescens; la musaraña Cryptotis equatoris; los murciélagos Anoura fistulata, Phyllostomus latifolius, Artibeus ravus, Cynomops greenhalli, Eumops maurus y Rhogeessa velilla; y el carnívoro Nasuella olivacea son primeros registros para el Perú. Finalmente, se incluye una lista de 15 especies introducidas.We present an annotated list for all land, aquatic and marine mammals known to occur in Peru and their distribution by ecoregions. We also present species conservation status according to international organizations and the legal conservation status in Peru. At present, we record 508 species, in 13 orders, 50 families, and 218 genera, making Peru the third most diverse country with regards to mammals in the New World, after Brazil and Mexico, and the fifth most diverse country for mammals in the World. This diversity includes 40 didelphimorphs, 2 paucituberculates, 1 manatee, 6 cingulates, 7 pilosa, 39 primates, 162 rodents, 1 rabbit, 2 soricomorphs, 165 bats, 34 carnivores, 2 perissodactyls, and 47 cetartiodactyls. Bats and rodents (327 species) represent almost two thirds of total diversity (64%) for Peru. Five genera and 65 species (12.8%) are endemics to Peru, with the majority of these being rodents (45 species, 69,2%). Most of the endemic species are restricted to the Yungas of the eastern slope of the Andes (39 species, 60%) followed by Selva Baja (14 species, 21.5%). The taxonomic status of some species is commented on, when those depart from accepted taxonomy. The marsupial Marmosa phaea; the rodents Melanomys caliginosus, M. robustulus, and Echinoprocta rufescens; the shrew Cryptotis equatoris; the bats Anoura fistulata, Phyllostomus latifolius, Artibeus ravus, Cynomops greenhalli, Eumops maurus, and Rhogeessa velilla; and the carnivore Nasuella olivacea are first records of species occurrence in Peru. Finally, we also include a list of 15 non-native species

Biodiversity of the Sierra del Divisor Zone Reserved (Peru): a view from small mammals

En el presente trabajo se documenta la diversidad de mamíferos pequeños en la Zona Reservada Sierra del Divisor (ZRSD). Se evaluaron seis localidades entre 2011 y 2013 utilizando técnicas de captura estándar (trampas Víctor, Tomahawk, Pitfall y redes de niebla). Se registró un total de 67 especies (cinco marsupiales, 10 roedores y 52 murciélagos), 32 de las cuales son nuevos registros para la ZRSD y dos son especies de roedores raras y endémicas del Perú, la “rata acuática peruana” Neusticomys peruviensis (Cricetidae: Ichthyomyini) y el “Ratón acuático de Ucayali” Amphinectomys savamis (Cricetidae: Oryzomyini). El marsupial Marmosops bishopi; los roedores Neacomys minutus, Euryoryzomys macconnelli, Scolomys melanops y Proechimys kulinae; y los murciélagos Artibeus planirostris y Rhinophylla pumilio fueron las especies más abundantes. Nuestros hallazgos demuestran la importancia de la re-categorización de la Zona Reservada al estatus de Parque Nacional, como una contribución significativa para la conservación de los mamíferos del Perú.This study documents the small mammalian diversity in the Zona Reservada Sierra del Divisor (ZRSD). Six sites were evaluated between 2011 and 2013 with capture techniques (Victor snap traps, Tomahawk traps, Pitfall traps and mist nets). 67 species of small mammals were recorded (five marsupials, 10 rodents and 52 bats), 32 of which are new records for the ZRSD and two are species of the most rare and endemic rodents of Peru, the “Peruvian Aquatic Rat” Neusticomys peruviensis (Cricetidae: Ichthyomyini) and “Ucayali´s Aquatic Mouse” Amphinectomys savamis (Cricetidae: Oryzomyini). On the other hand, the marsupial Marmosops bishopi; rodents Neacomys minutus, Euryoryzomys macconnelli, Scolomys melanops and Proechimys kulinae; and the bats Artibeus planirostris and Rhinophylla pumilio were the most plenty. Our finding showed the importance of the re-categorization of Reserved Zone to National Park like as a significant contribution to the conservation of the Peruvian mammals

Nuevos registros de murciélagos para el Perú

Presentamos el primer registro de tres mamíferos pequeños voladores para el Perú en base a especímenes colectados entre 2007 y 2014. Estos son: Eumops glaucinus, en la selva baja del centro del Perú; Molossus bondae en el bosque tropical del Pacífico, y Promops nasutus en bosques montanos del sureste. Los nuevos registros incrementan la diversidad de mamíferos del Perú a 579 especies

First record of Colombian Forest Mouse Chilomys instans (Cricetidae: Rodentia) in Cajamarca: updating the list of mammals from Peru

El roedor Chilomys instans (Thomasomyini, Cricetidae) es una especie común en la comunidad de mamíferos que habita los Andes del Norte en Sudamérica. Aquí presentamos el primer registro de la especie para el Perú, en base a la revisión morfológica de tres ejemplares colectados en el departamento de Cajamarca (Andes del Centro). Se presentan comentarios sobre la taxonomía de C. instans e información sobre su historia natural. La amplia distribución del género Chilomys en los Andes pone de manifiesto la necesidad de realizar la revisión taxonómica de éste género para esclarecer los límites de las especies que la conforman.Chilomys instans (Thomasomyini, Cricetidae) is a common species in the mammalian fauna that inhabits in the Northern Andes of South America. Here we present the first record of that in Peru, based on the morphologic review of three samples collected in Cajamarca Department (Central Andes). Information about the taxonomic and natural history of C. instans are presented. The wide distribution of genus Chilomys in Andes shows the necessity to perform a taxonomic review of the genus, in order to clearify the species limit

New record of Marmosa (Stegomarmosa) andersoni Pine, 1972 (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae), a rare and endemic Peruvian marsupial

Marmosa (Stegomarmosa) andersoni Pine, 1972 is one of the rarest members of the genus Marmosa. This species is endemic to southeastern Peru and currently known from only 3 close localities in Cusco. Herein we report a new record for the species from Pasco, which extends its geographic distribution by 360 km and represents its northernmost recor