Elevational range extension of the Puna Mouse, Punomys (Cricetidae), with the first record of the genus from Chile.

We report an elevational record for the Andean sigmodontine Puna Mouse Punomys, which is also the first record of the genus in Chile. The record is based on a mummified specimen that we discovered at an elevation of 5,461 m (17,917 feet) in the caldera of Volcán Acamarachi, Región de Antofagasta, Chile. Results of a morphological assessment suggest that the specimen can be provisionally referred to the species P. lemminus. This new record also extends the known geographic distribution of the genus by 700 km to the south and brings the known Chilean mammal richness to a total of 170 living species and 88 genera. This finding highlights the need for increased survey efforts in more remote, high-elevation regions and demonstrates that there is still much to be learned about the mammal fauna of the Andean Altiplano.

Se reporta un registro altitudinal para el roedor sigmodontino Punomys, el cual corresponde a su vez al primer hallazgo del género para Chile. Este se basa en un espécimen momificado encontrado a una elevación de 5,461 m en la caldera del Volcán Acamarachi, Región de Antofagasta, Chile. Los caracteres morfológicos sugieren que el espécimen puede ser referido provisionalmente a la especie P. lemminus. Este nuevo registro amplía la distribución geográfica conocida del género en 700 km al sur, y eleva la riqueza de mamíferos vivientes chilenos a un nuevo total de 170 especies y 88 géneros. Este hallazgo resalta la necesidad de aumentar los esfuerzos de prospección en las regiones más remotas y de mayor altitud y demuestra que aún queda mucho por aprender sobre el ensamble de los mamíferos del Altiplano andino.

Effects of host factors on the dynamics of fleas (Siphonaptera) in Sigmodontinae rodents (Cricetidae) from El Espinal Ecoregion, Argentina.

We investigated the patterns of flea infestation in wild populations of eight Sigmodontinae rodent species: Akodon azarae, Calomys callidus, Calomys venustus, Holochilus chacarius, Necromys lasiurus, Oligoryzomys flavescens, Oligoryzomys nigripes and Oxymycterus rufus. Rodents were captured in systematic trapping sessions carried out along 2 years at two localities from El Espinal Ecoregion, Argentina. Mean flea intensity, occurrence (presence/absence) of flea infestation, richness and diversity were compared for different ages, body condition, sex and rodent tribes (Akodontini, Oryzomyini and Phyllotini). A total of 376 fleas of the following species and subspecies were collected: Craneopsylla minerva wolffhuegeli, Polygenis (Neopolygenis) pradoi, Polygenis (Polygenis) axius axius, and Polygenis (Polygenis) byturus. The most important factor driving flea infestation was the rodent tribe, with Phyllotini showing the highest values of occurrence, abundance and species richness. Only C. m. wolffhuegeli was affected by the sex of the host. Age and body condition of the hosts did not affect flea infestation. Our results contribute to knowledge of the ecology of fleas on rodent hosts in El Espinal Ecoregion. The relevance of host taxonomy as driver of flea dynamics highlight the importance of considering host community structures at the time of studying the ecology of parasites.

Descriptions of two new species of flea of the genus Plocopsylla in northwestern Argentina.

Two new species of flea of the genus Plocopsylla, subgenus Plocopsylla, (Siphonaptera: Stephanocircidae) collected from sigmodontine rodents in northwestern Argentina are described and a key to identification of species of the genus Plocopsylla, subgenus Plocopsylla, in Argentina is presented. Plocopsylla (P.) inti is cited for the first time in Argentina, extending its distribution ∼ 970 km further south than previously documented. New locality data and flea-host associations are recorded. The contributions of this study are relevant because they increase knowledge of the diversity of flea fauna in northwestern Argentina bordering a plague endemic area and will be useful in the implementation of plague control management plans in the future.

Phylogenetic analysis of the S segment from Juquitiba hantavirus: identification of two distinct lineages in Oligoryzomys nigripes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the phylogenetic relationship of the Juquitiba virus (JUQV) carried by Oligoryzomys nigripes in endemic and non-endemic areas of Brazil. Wild rodents infected with the Juquitiba virus (JUQV) were sampled from a non-Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome endemic area in Brazil. Three strains from O. nigripes were identified by the sequencing of the complete S segment and compared to previous studies of JUQV available in GenBank. The phylogenetic analysis of the complete S segment revealed two distinct clades; the first clade was composed of the JUQV from two non-endemic areas in Brazil and the second clade contained JUQV strains from Argentina, Paraguay and other Brazilian endemic areas.

Descripción del postcráneo de Rhipidomys austrinus y Graomys griseoflavus (Rodentia, Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae)

Se describe el esqueleto postcraneal de dos especies de roedores sigmodontinos Rhipidomys austrinus Thomas, 1921 y Graomys griseoflavus (Waterhouse, 1837). Se detalla cada estructura del esqueleto postcraneal sobre la base de la forma, tamaño, superficie y orientación de cada elemento esqueletal. La anatomía postcraneal de estas dos especies muestra caracteres asociados a patrones morfológicos diferentes, vinculados a su modo de locomoción. Es así que R. austrinus exhibe características en varios elementos del postcráneo consistente con una locomoción arborícola, mientras G. griseoflavus muestra atributos en su esqueleto relacionados a una locomoción de tipo terrestre.

We described the postcranial skeleton of two species of sigmodontine rodents, Rhipidomys austrinus Thomas, 1921 and Graomys griseoflavus (Waterhouse, 1837). Each structure of the postcranial skeleton is here described in details of shape, size, surface, and orientation. The skeletal anatomy of these two species shows morphological characters associated with different patterns related to their type of locomotion. Rhipidomys austrinus exhibits characteristics consistent with its arboreal locomotion in several elements of the postcranium, while G. griseoflavus shows attributes related to terrestrial locomotion.

Descripción del postcráneo de Rhipidomys austrinus y Graomys griseoflavus (Rodentia, Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae)

Se describe el esqueleto postcraneal de dos especies de roedores sigmodontinos Rhipidomys austrinus Thomas, 1921 y Graomys griseoflavus (Waterhouse, 1837). Se detalla cada estructura del esqueleto postcraneal sobre la base de la forma, tamaño, superficie y orientación de cada elemento esqueletal. La anatomía postcraneal de estas dos especies muestra caracteres asociados a patrones morfológicos diferentes, vinculados a su modo de locomoción. Es así que R. austrinus exhibe características en varios elementos del postcráneo consistente con una locomoción arborícola, mientras G. griseoflavus muestra atributos en su esqueleto relacionados a una locomoción de tipo terrestre.

We described the postcranial skeleton of two species of sigmodontine rodents, Rhipidomys austrinus Thomas, 1921 and Graomys griseoflavus (Waterhouse, 1837). Each structure of the postcranial skeleton is here described in details of shape, size, surface, and orientation. The skeletal anatomy of these two species shows morphological characters associated with different patterns related to their type of locomotion. Rhipidomys austrinus exhibits characteristics consistent with its arboreal locomotion in several elements of the postcranium, while G. griseoflavus shows attributes related to terrestrial locomotion.