Combining distribution modeling and haplotype networks to infer dispersal routes in two species of Calomys

PINOTTI, JUAN DIEGO; CHIAPPERO, MARINA B; GONZALEZ ITTIG R.E

Congreso; 100TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAMMALOGISTS; 2021

American Society of Mammalogists

The genus Calomys (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae) includes several species that have very similar morphologies, resulting in conflicting taxonomic histories. One clade of medium-sized forms is informally known as the Calomys callosus complex. Five species have been described in the complex including C. fecundus and C. venustus. In both species, phylogeographic studies have been performed to understand how patterns of divergence within species relate to current and historical geologic, geographic, and landscape features. In addition, species distribution modeling (SDMs) have been carried out to generate maps indicating areas of high and low habitat suitability based on species? ecological tolerances. In this work we integrate cytochrome b gene haplotype networks with SDMs to assess possible dispersal corridors in the recent history of both species. Results indicate that C. fecundus has its dispersal routes between 300 and 1100 m.a.s.l in the Tucumane-Bolivian Yungas, coinciding with the transitional and montane forests districts. Meanwhile, C. venustus presented the highest dispersal route values in the Prosopis district of the Espinal ecorregion. This work shows the utility of integrating SDMs and haplotype networks to estimate realistic dispersal networks focusing on the varying connectivity of habitats among localities of C. fecundus and C. venustus.