Taxonomic revision of the tigrina Leopardus tigrinus (Schreber, 1775) species group (Carnivora, Felidae)

The tigrina Leopardus tigrinus (Schreber, 1775) is a small-sized Neotropical spotted cat found from northern Argentina and southern Brazil to Costa Rica. Four subspecies are traditionally recognized: L. t. tigrinus (Schreber, 1775) from northern Brazil, the Guianas and eastern Venezuela; L. t. pardinoides (Gray, 1867) from western Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru; L. t. guttulus (Hensel, 1872) from southern Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina; and L. t. oncillus (Thomas, 1903) from Costa Rica. We studied external and craniodental morphology in quantitative and qualitative terms from 250 specimens in order to clarify the taxonomic status of tigrina. Based on the characters analyzed in this study, we recognize three diagnosable morphogroups, each with a distinct geographic distribution: northern/northwestern/west (samples from northern Brazil, the Guianas, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, northwestern Argentina and Costa Rica), eastern (samples from northeastern and central Brazil), and southern (samples from southern Brazil, Paraguay and northeastern Argentina). Taking into account the morphologic evidence presented here, supported by biogeographic data and molecular studies available, we recognize three full species for tigrinas: L. tigrinus (including the putative subspecies L. t. pardinoides and L. t. oncillus as junior synonyms) for northern/northwestern/west group; L. emiliae (Thomas, 1914) for eastern group; and L. guttulus for southern group.

O gato-do-mato-pequeno Leopardus tigrinus (Schreber, 1775) é um felídeo neotropical de pequeno porte encontrado desde o norte da Argentina e sul do Brasil até a Costa Rica. Quatro subespécies são tradicionalmente reconhecidas: L. t. tigrinus (Schreber, 1775) do Brasil setentrional, Guianas e Venezuela oriental; L. t. pardinoides (Gray, 1867) da Venezuela ocidental, Colômbia, Equador e Peru; L. t. guttulus (Hensel, 1872) do Brasil meridional, Paraguai e Argentina setentrional; e L. t. oncillus (Thomas, 1903) da Costa Rica. Analisamos quantitativa e qualitativamente a morfologia externa e crânio-dentária de 250 espécimes com o objetivo de esclarecer o estado taxonômico do gato-do-mato-pequeno. Baseado nos caracteres analisados, nós reconhecemos três morfogrupos, cada com uma distinta distribuição geográfica: norte/noroeste/oeste (amostras do Brasil setentrional, Guianas, Venezuela, Colômbia, Equador, Peru, noroeste da Argentina e Costa Rica), leste (amostras do nordeste e centro do Brasil) e sul (amostras do Brasil meridional, Paraguai e nordeste da Argentina). Considerando as evidências morfológicas apresentadas neste estudo, ligado ao suporte biogeográfico e dos estudos moleculares disponíveis, reconhecemos três espécies plenas de gato-do-mato-pequeno: L. tigrinus (inclui as supostas subespécies L. t. pardinoides and L. t. oncillus como sinônimos juniores) para o grupo norte/noroeste/oeste; L. emiliae (Thomas, 1914) para o grupo do leste; and L. guttulus para o grupo do sul.

Taxonomic revision of the tigrina Leopardus tigrinus (Schreber, 1775) species group (Carnivora, Felidae)

The tigrina Leopardus tigrinus (Schreber, 1775) is a small-sized Neotropical spotted cat found from northern Argentina and southern Brazil to Costa Rica. Four subspecies are traditionally recognized: L. t. tigrinus (Schreber, 1775) from northern Brazil, the Guianas and eastern Venezuela; L. t. pardinoides (Gray, 1867) from western Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru; L. t. guttulus (Hensel, 1872) from southern Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina; and L. t. oncillus (Thomas, 1903) from Costa Rica. We studied external and craniodental morphology in quantitative and qualitative terms from 250 specimens in order to clarify the taxonomic status of tigrina. Based on the characters analyzed in this study, we recognize three diagnosable morphogroups, each with a distinct geographic distribution: northern/northwestern/west (samples from northern Brazil, the Guianas, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, northwestern Argentina and Costa Rica), eastern (samples from northeastern and central Brazil), and southern (samples from southern Brazil, Paraguay and northeastern Argentina). Taking into account the morphologic evidence presented here, supported by biogeographic data and molecular studies available, we recognize three full species for tigrinas: L. tigrinus (including the putative subspecies L. t. pardinoides and L. t. oncillus as junior synonyms) for northern/northwestern/west group; L. emiliae (Thomas, 1914) for eastern group; and L. guttulus for southern group.(AU)

O gato-do-mato-pequeno Leopardus tigrinus (Schreber, 1775) é um felídeo neotropical de pequeno porte encontrado desde o norte da Argentina e sul do Brasil até a Costa Rica. Quatro subespécies são tradicionalmente reconhecidas: L. t. tigrinus (Schreber, 1775) do Brasil setentrional, Guianas e Venezuela oriental; L. t. pardinoides (Gray, 1867) da Venezuela ocidental, Colômbia, Equador e Peru; L. t. guttulus (Hensel, 1872) do Brasil meridional, Paraguai e Argentina setentrional; e L. t. oncillus (Thomas, 1903) da Costa Rica. Analisamos quantitativa e qualitativamente a morfologia externa e crânio-dentária de 250 espécimes com o objetivo de esclarecer o estado taxonômico do gato-do-mato-pequeno. Baseado nos caracteres analisados, nós reconhecemos três morfogrupos, cada com uma distinta distribuição geográfica: norte/noroeste/oeste (amostras do Brasil setentrional, Guianas, Venezuela, Colômbia, Equador, Peru, noroeste da Argentina e Costa Rica), leste (amostras do nordeste e centro do Brasil) e sul (amostras do Brasil meridional, Paraguai e nordeste da Argentina). Considerando as evidências morfológicas apresentadas neste estudo, ligado ao suporte biogeográfico e dos estudos moleculares disponíveis, reconhecemos três espécies plenas de gato-do-mato-pequeno: L. tigrinus (inclui as supostas subespécies L. t. pardinoides and L. t. oncillus como sinônimos juniores) para o grupo norte/noroeste/oeste; L. emiliae (Thomas, 1914) para o grupo do leste; and L. guttulus para o grupo do sul.(AU)

On the occurrence of Holochilus chacarius (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) in Brazil, with taxonomic notes on Holochilus species

Currently four species of Holochilus (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) are recognized. According to the literature, three species are recorded for Brazil: H. sciureus, H. brasiliensis and H. chacarius. Samples from western Brazil (Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul states) are usually reported as H. sciureus and, when referring to specimens from the Pantanal, as H. chacarius. However, the taxonomic status of specimens from this region has not been properly evaluated through detailed morphological analyses or voucher specimens. About 110 specimens of Holochilus deposited in Brazilian collections were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed (univariate and multivariate tests). Our results suggested the existence of three species (H. sciureus, H. brasiliensis and H. chacarius) in Brazil, which present significant morphological and morphometric differences, thus confirming that the Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul samples, formerly misidentified as H. sciureus, belong to H. chacarius. This species differs from H. sciureus and H. brasiliensis by a series of pelage and skull characters, such as: the coloration of pelage, light orange-brown in the dorsum, light orangish in the flanks and white in the venter; ridges of the masseteric crest confluent at the level (or slightly above) of the mental foramen and at the anterior part of m1, alternated main molar cusps, lophids compressed and with acute outer margins (rarely prismatic), anteromedian fossetid labially displaced and subcircular (small to medium), metaflexid less developed (frequently not reaching the midline of the tooth), proto and hipoconid subrectangular in outline and transversely orientated, mesoflexid transversely orientated and mesoloph absent.

Quatro espécies de Holochilus (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) são atualmente reconhecidas. De acordo com a literatura, três espécies são registradas para o Brasil: H. brasiliensis, H. chacarius e H. sciureus. Amostras provenientes do oeste do Brasil (Estados do Mato Grosso e Mato Grosso do Sul) são geralmente reportadas como H. sciureus e, quando referentes a espécimes do Pantanal, como H. chacarius. Entretanto, o estado taxonômico de espécimes dessa região ainda não foi propriamente avaliado através de análise morfológica detalhada e/ou espécimes testemunho. Cerca de 110 espécimes de Holochilus depositados em coleções brasileiras foram analisados qualitativa e quantitativamente (testes univariados e multivariados). Nossos resultados suportam a existência de três espécies (H. sciureus, H. brasiliensis e H. chacarius) no país, as quais possuem diferenças morfológicas e morfométricas significativas entre si, assim confirmando que as amostras do Mato Grosso e Mato Grosso do Sul, outrora erroneamente identificados como H. sciureus, pertencem à H. chacarius. Esta espécie difere de H. sciureus e H. brasiliensis por apresentar uma série de características da pelagem e do crânio, tais como: coloração da pelagem castanho claro no dorso, levemente alaranjada nas laterais e branca no ventre; crista massetérica confluente ao nível ou ligeiramente acima do forame mental e na parte anterior do m1; principais cúspides molares alternadas; lofideos compactados e com margens externas agudas (raramente prismática), fossetideo anteromediano labialmente deslocado e subcircular (pequeno a médio); metaflexideo menos desenvolvido (muitas vezes não atingindo a linha mediana do dente); protoconideo e hipoconideo subrectangulares e transversalmente orientados; mesoflexideo transversalmente orientado e mesolofo ausente.

On the occurrence of Holochilus chacarius (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) in Brazil, with taxonomic notes on Holochilus species

Currently four species of Holochilus (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) are recognized. According to the literature, three species are recorded for Brazil: H. sciureus, H. brasiliensis and H. chacarius. Samples from western Brazil (Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul states) are usually reported as H. sciureus and, when referring to specimens from the Pantanal, as H. chacarius. However, the taxonomic status of specimens from this region has not been properly evaluated through detailed morphological analyses or voucher specimens. About 110 specimens of Holochilus deposited in Brazilian collections were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed (univariate and multivariate tests). Our results suggested the existence of three species (H. sciureus, H. brasiliensis and H. chacarius) in Brazil, which present significant morphological and morphometric differences, thus confirming that the Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul samples, formerly misidentified as H. sciureus, belong to H. chacarius. This species differs from H. sciureus and H. brasiliensis by a series of pelage and skull characters, such as: the coloration of pelage, light orange-brown in the dorsum, light orangish in the flanks and white in the venter; ridges of the masseteric crest confluent at the level (or slightly above) of the mental foramen and at the anterior part of m1, alternated main molar cusps, lophids compressed and with acute outer margins (rarely prismatic), anteromedian fossetid labially displaced and subcircular (small to medium), metaflexid less developed (frequently not reaching the midline of the tooth), proto and hipoconid subrectangular in outline and transversely orientated, mesoflexid transversely orientated and mesoloph absent.(AU)

Quatro espécies de Holochilus (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) são atualmente reconhecidas. De acordo com a literatura, três espécies são registradas para o Brasil: H. brasiliensis, H. chacarius e H. sciureus. Amostras provenientes do oeste do Brasil (Estados do Mato Grosso e Mato Grosso do Sul) são geralmente reportadas como H. sciureus e, quando referentes a espécimes do Pantanal, como H. chacarius. Entretanto, o estado taxonômico de espécimes dessa região ainda não foi propriamente avaliado através de análise morfológica detalhada e/ou espécimes testemunho. Cerca de 110 espécimes de Holochilus depositados em coleções brasileiras foram analisados qualitativa e quantitativamente (testes univariados e multivariados). Nossos resultados suportam a existência de três espécies (H. sciureus, H. brasiliensis e H. chacarius) no país, as quais possuem diferenças morfológicas e morfométricas significativas entre si, assim confirmando que as amostras do Mato Grosso e Mato Grosso do Sul, outrora erroneamente identificados como H. sciureus, pertencem à H. chacarius. Esta espécie difere de H. sciureus e H. brasiliensis por apresentar uma série de características da pelagem e do crânio, tais como: coloração da pelagem castanho claro no dorso, levemente alaranjada nas laterais e branca no ventre; crista massetérica confluente ao nível ou ligeiramente acima do forame mental e na parte anterior do m1; principais cúspides molares alternadas; lofideos compactados e com margens externas agudas (raramente prismática), fossetideo anteromediano labialmente deslocado e subcircular (pequeno a médio); metaflexideo menos desenvolvido (muitas vezes não atingindo a linha mediana do dente); protoconideo e hipoconideo subrectangulares e transversalmente orientados; mesoflexideo transversalmente orientado e mesolofo ausente.(AU)

On the morphological variation and taxonomy of the Geoffroy’s cat Leopardus geoffroyi (d’Orbigny & Gervais, 1844) (Carnivora, Felidae)

The Geoffroy’s cat Leopardus geoffroyi (d’Orbigny & Gervais, 1844) is a small cat found in the Southern Cone of South America and, depending on the author, four or five subspecies have been usually recognized (L. g. geoffroyi, L. g. paraguae, L. g. euxanthus, L. g. salinarum and L. g. leucobaptus), mainly based on external morphological characters, such as color pattern of the pelage. In order to clarify the taxonomy of L. geoffroyi, I analyzed approximately 200 specimens housed in museums. I have examined the external and craniodental morphology in quantitative and qualitative terms in the search for patterns of congruent characters that would indicate the existence of taxonomic units. Twenty craniodental measurements were taken and tested by univariate and multivariate (MANOVA, PCA and DFA) procedures. In this study I detected a great variation in the morphological characters, and thus it was not possible to determine whether any of these were geographically consistent and could be used to determine any taxonomic unit. Based on this, I do not recognize any subspecific division for L. geoffroyi. Along its geographic range, a gradual and subtle change from one color pattern to the next along the latitude was detected, but the morphological characters that were used to define the putative subspecies were also detected in a same population. Furthermore, the present study is congruent with the results obtained by previous molecular data, suggesting that L. geoffroyi has a high level of genetic diversity with no geographic structure. This indicates the existence of a large panmictic population with no significant barriers to gene flow and, as a consequence, no subspecies should be recognized.

On the correct name for some subfamilies of Mustelidae (Mammalia, Carnivora)

Mustelids (Mustelidae) exhibit a wide morphological and ecological diversity, ranging from aquatic to semi arboreal and fossorial forms. It is the most diversity family in Carnivora, and this has promoted a great number of taxonomic arrangements for subfamilies, which can range from two to 15 depending on the author. The relatively recent use of molecular data has helped to elucidate the classification of mustelids, and eight subfamilies are currently recognized: Mustelinae, Galictinae, Helictidinae, Martinae, Melinae, Mellivorinae, Taxidiinae and Lutrinae. However, some of these subfamilies have nomenclatural problems, not receiving the oldest available name. The subfamily that includes martens (Martes, Charronia and Pekania), tayra (Eira) and wolverine (Gulo) has received the name of Martinae Wagner, 1841, but the oldest available name is Guloninae Gray, 1825. This problem also occurs for the subfamily that includes the grisons (Galictis), Patagonian weasel (Lyncodon), marbled polecat (Vormela) and striped weasels (Ictonyx and Poecilogale), which are known as Grisoninae Pocock, 1921, but the correct name for this group is Ictonychinae, Pocock, 1921. The subfamily that includes ferret badgers (Melogale) retains the name Helictidinae Gray, 1865, because its validity is not affected when the type-genus of the subfamily becomes a junior synonym of another genus. Furthermore, a list of the extant subfamilies of Mustelidae and their respective synonyms and included genera is provided.

On the correct name for some subfamilies of Mustelidae (Mammalia, Carnivora)

Mustelids (Mustelidae) exhibit a wide morphological and ecological diversity, ranging from aquatic to semi arboreal and fossorial forms. It is the most diversity family in Carnivora, and this has promoted a great number of taxonomic arrangements for subfamilies, which can range from two to 15 depending on the author. The relatively recent use of molecular data has helped to elucidate the classification of mustelids, and eight subfamilies are currently recognized: Mustelinae, Galictinae, Helictidinae, Martinae, Melinae, Mellivorinae, Taxidiinae and Lutrinae. However, some of these subfamilies have nomenclatural problems, not receiving the oldest available name. The subfamily that includes martens (Martes, Charronia and Pekania), tayra (Eira) and wolverine (Gulo) has received the name of Martinae Wagner, 1841, but the oldest available name is Guloninae Gray, 1825. This problem also occurs for the subfamily that includes the grisons (Galictis), Patagonian weasel (Lyncodon), marbled polecat (Vormela) and striped weasels (Ictonyx and Poecilogale), which are known as Grisoninae Pocock, 1921, but the correct name for this group is Ictonychinae, Pocock, 1921. The subfamily that includes ferret badgers (Melogale) retains the name Helictidinae Gray, 1865, because its validity is not affected when the type-genus of the subfamily becomes a junior synonym of another genus. Furthermore, a list of the extant subfamilies of Mustelidae and their respective synonyms and included genera is provided.(AU)

On the morphological variation and taxonomy of the Geoffroys cat Leopardus geoffroyi (dOrbigny & Gervais, 1844) (Carnivora, Felidae)

The Geoffroys cat Leopardus geoffroyi (dOrbigny & Gervais, 1844) is a small cat found in the Southern Cone of South America and, depending on the author, four or five subspecies have been usually recognized (L. g. geoffroyi, L. g. paraguae, L. g. euxanthus, L. g. salinarum and L. g. leucobaptus), mainly based on external morphological characters, such as color pattern of the pelage. In order to clarify the taxonomy of L. geoffroyi, I analyzed approximately 200 specimens housed in museums. I have examined the external and craniodental morphology in quantitative and qualitative terms in the search for patterns of congruent characters that would indicate the existence of taxonomic units. Twenty craniodental measurements were taken and tested by univariate and multivariate (MANOVA, PCA and DFA) procedures. In this study I detected a great variation in the morphological characters, and thus it was not possible to determine whether any of these were geographically consistent and could be used to determine any taxonomic unit. Based on this, I do not recognize any subspecific division for L. geoffroyi. Along its geographic range, a gradual and subtle change from one color pattern to the next along the latitude was detected, but the morphological characters that were used to define the putative subspecies were also detected in a same population. Furthermore, the present study is congruent with the results obtained by previous molecular data, suggesting that L. geoffroyi has a high level of genetic diversity with no geographic structure. This indicates the existence of a large panmictic population with no significant barriers to gene flow and, as a consequence, no subspecies should be recognized.(AU)