Dense sampling provides a reevaluation of the southern geographic distribution of the cavies Galea and Microcavia (Rodentia)

UDRIZAR SAUTHIER D.E.; FORMOSO ANAHÍ E.; TETA PABLO; DE TOMMASO D.; BERNARDIS A.; TAMMONE MAURO; ULYSES F.J. PARDIÑAS

MAMMALIA

WALTER DE GRUYTER & CO

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2016

0025-1461

The southern distribution of the small cavies Galea leucoblephara and Microcavia australis is reviewed. It has been enriched through the addition of 36 new local- ity records for G. leucoblephara and 176 for M. australis. Both caviomorph rodents are widespread in Patagonia ?the former occurs in the northern portion of the territory, whereas the latter is recorded up to the Magellan Strait. The reference of Patagonian Galea populations to leucoblephara is still subject to confirmation. Therefore, the status of negrensis must be addressed in future studies. For southern Microcavia australis populations, a rich subspecifical scenario is Proposed, including the names australis , kingii , and nigriana . The alpha taxonomy of this cavy needs a fresh approach that is based on a larger sam- ple set coupled with the analysis of molecular markers.